Good news on Mount Pleasant nursery.

31^st August 2011
For immediate release
Deal keeps Mount Pleasant Nursery open
The Communication Workers Union has reached a deal with Royal Mail which gives the Mount Pleasant Nursery a five-month reprieve while its long-term future is discussed.
Hopes have now risen that Mount Pleasant children’s nursery based at Royal Mail's Mount Pleasant mail centre in Farringdon – which had been earmarked for closure this November – can be saved from the axe following a breakthrough in talks at the end of last week.
CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward, who led the CWU negotiating team, said: “This development is excellent news for hard-working parents across London and good news for the company too.
“Obviously, there’s a long way to go to ensure the nursery’s long-term survival, but this agreement means that we’re all now working towards that aim.
“This facility is a fantastic benefit for our members and companies who show concern for their employees' welfare are more successful than those who don't."
CWU national equality officer Linda Roy also welcomed the agreement, saying: “This is a huge step forward, which will be a great relief to our members who rely on this nursery facility. As Dave says, we’ve got a lot of work to do, but now that both the union and the company are on the same side, I’m optimistic that we can save the nursery.”
Formal terms of reference for the forthcoming detailed discussions will be agreed between the union, Royal Mail and the childcare provider next month and then all parties will work towards a solution.
Childsplay Nursery had been due to close in November, but a high-profile campaign by CWU members has persuaded the company to think again and a five-month reprieve has been agreed to allow detailed discussions aimed at securing the facility’s future to proceed. The nursery provides affordable childcare matching Royal Mail shift times to workers across London.
For more information see the CWU website: www.cwu.org/save-mount-pleasant-nursery.html
-ends-
For more information please contact:
Sian Jones, Press Officer, tel: 020 8971 7267, mobile: 0779 3314249, e-mail: sbjones@cwu.org
Kevin Slocombe, Head of Communications, mobile: 07714504413, e-mail: kslocombe@cwu.org

EU directive for drivers with diabetes, epilepsy and poor eyesight

This came to my attention following an enquiry from one of my members. I am currently seeking clarification. What follows is a briefing note from the House of Commons library.

Latest UNI Womens Cmmittee Report

Our new Equality Ezine is now available

Homophobia poster

Please download and display in your workplace. Just right click with your mouse and save.

NEC election results

Mr W Hayes
General Secretary
Communication Workers Union
150 The Broadway
Wimbledon
SW19 1RX
17^th August 2011
 Dear Mr Hayes
ELECTION OF NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 2011-2013,
ELECTION OF POSTAL EXECUTIVE REPRESENTATIVES 2011-2013,
ELECTION OF TELECOMS & FINANCIAL SERVICES EXECUTIVE REPRESENTATIVES 2011-2013
Our report of voting for the above elections, which closed at first post on Monday 15^th August 2011, is as follows:
Postal Constituency Chair
LOFTUS, Jane............................. Elected Unopposed
Postal Constituency Vice-Chair
DONAGHY, Peter......................... Elected Unopposed
National Executive Council – Postal Constituency Representatives

Number of eligible voters:		125,235
Votes cast by post:	14,224
Total number of votes cast:		14,224
Turnout:		11.4%
Number of votes found to be invalid:		247
Total number of valid votes to be counted:		13,977

Result (9 to elect)
BROWNE, Phil...................................................           6,020                   Elected
KAVANAGH, Mick...............................................           5,782                   Elected
BAULCH, Mark..................................................           5,113                   Elected
MALONE, Joe....................................................           4,804                   Elected
MADEN, Carl.....................................................           4,798                   Elected
McCLEAN, Noel.................................................           4,651                   Elected
QUIRKE, Katrina.................................................           4,651                   Elected
ROBERTSON, Davie.............................................           4,630                   Elected
KEENLYSIDE, Pete..............................................           4,424                   Elected
WARD, Ian.......................................................           4,383                 
McLEAN, Lesley.................................................           4,372                  
ALI, Mahmood...................................................           4,198                  
DUDD, Kye.......................................................           3,662                  
DAVIES, Huw....................................................           3,414                  
JONES, Steve...................................................           3,362                  
WEATHERALL, Bobby...........................................           3,343
BOUCH, Tony...................................................           3,168      
O’DONNELL, Paul...............................................           2,214      
Postal Executive – Postal Grades Representatives

Number of eligible voters:		122,767
Votes cast by post:	13,878
Total number of votes cast:		13,878
Turnout:		11.3%
Number of votes found to be invalid:		226
Total number of valid votes to be counted:		13,652

Result (13 to elect)
KAVANAGH, Mick...............................................           6,377                   Elected*
BROWNE, Phil...................................................           6,330                   Elected*
BAULCH, Mark..................................................           5,548                   Elected*
MADEN, Carl.....................................................           5,487                   Elected*
MALONE, Joe....................................................           5,436                   Elected*
McCLEAN, Noel.................................................           5,415                   Elected*
ROBERTSON, Davie.............................................           5,328                   Elected*
QUIRKE, Katrina.................................................           5,312                   Elected*
McLEAN, Lesley.................................................           5,158                   Elected
WARD, Ian.......................................................           5,070                   Elected
KEENLYSIDE, Pete..............................................           5,015                   Elected*
ALI, Mahmood...................................................           4,923                   Elected
BOUCH, Tony...................................................           4,672                   Elected
DAVIES, Huw....................................................           4,458                  
DUDD, Kye.......................................................           4,385                  
WEATHERALL, Bobby...........................................           4,336                  
O’DONNELL, Paul...............................................           3,490                  
GRIBBEN, Stephen..............................................           2,462      
*Already elected to NEC so automatically members of the Postal Executive.

Postal Executive – Postal Technical Services Grades Representatives
JONES, Steve............................. Elected Unopposed
STEEL, Bill................................ Elected Unopposed

Telecoms & Financial Services Constituency Chair

SHEPHERD, Beryl......................... Elected Unopposed
Telecoms & Financial Services Constituency Vice-Chair
ELDRED, Allan............................ Elected Unopposed
National Executive Council – Telecoms & Financial Services Constituency Representatives

Number of eligible voters:		64,038
Votes cast by post:	10,077
Total number of votes cast:		10,077
Turnout:		15.7%
Number of votes found to be invalid:		353
Total number of valid votes to be counted:		9,724

Result (6 to elect)
ROSE, Karen.....................................................           5,950                   Elected
DARBYSHIRE, Nick..............................................           5,619                   Elected
UPTON, Julia....................................................           5,458                   Elected
JUKES, Dave....................................................           5,324                   Elected
McGLYNN, Chic.................................................           5,316                   Elected
O’BRIEN, Brendan..............................................           5,058                   Elected
HEATHER, Gary.................................................           3,882                  
CATTERALL, Steve..............................................           3,723                  
TILL, Jeffrey....................................................           2,957                  
WALDER, Clive..................................................           2,571                  
HOUGHTON, Mick...............................................           1,410                  

Telecoms & Financial Services Executive – BT/Other Companies Representatives

Number of eligible voters:		55,891
Votes cast by post:	9,242
Total number of votes cast:		9,242
Turnout:		16.5%
Number of votes found to be invalid:		165
Total number of valid votes to be counted:		9,077

Result (5 to elect)
COOPER, Tom...................................................           5,192                   Elected
FUSSEY, Tracey.................................................           5,183                   Elected
TURNBULL, John................................................           4,952                   Elected
TRIM, Simon.....................................................           4,867                   Elected
RYAN, Gerry.....................................................           4,816                   Elected
ALLEYNE, Gus...................................................           3,242                  
CATTERALL, Steve..............................................           2,999                  
TILL, Jeffrey....................................................           2,874                  
BROWETT, Steve................................................           2,834                  
WALDER, Clive..................................................           2,479                  
Telecoms & Financial Services Executive – Santander Representative

Number of eligible voters:		2,875
Votes cast by post:	388
Total number of votes cast:		388
Turnout:		13.5%
Number of votes found to be invalid:		3
Total number of valid votes to be counted:		385

Result (1 to elect)
HEATH, Cathryn................................................              203                   Elected
CORT, Debbie...................................................              182

Telecoms & Financial Services Executive – Telefonica/O2 Representative

Number of eligible voters:		3,511
Votes cast by post:	355
Total number of votes cast:		355
Turnout:		10.1%
Number of votes found to be invalid:		2
Total number of valid votes to be counted:		353

Result (1 to elect)
WALMSLEY, Sandra.............................................              226                   Elected
MUQIT, Mizan...................................................              127
Telecoms & Financial Services Executive – Virgin Media, Addeco (Virgin Media Contract) and Manpower (Virgin Media Contract) Representative
ANDREWS, Dan........................... Elected Unopposed

As Scrutineers appointed in accordance with Section 49 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 (as amended), we are satisfied as to each of the matters specified in subsection 52(2) with regard to the election. The following points should be noted:
1.            The person appointed under section 51A to carry out the storage and counting of voting papers was Electoral Reform Services Limited.
2.            The person appointed under section 51A to carry out the distribution of voting papers was TU ink Limited, 65 Leonard Street, London, EC2A 4QS and we are satisfied with their performance.
3.            A copy of the register of voters (as at the relevant date) was examined in accordance with section 49(3). The examination took place at our own instance and did not reveal any matter that should be brought to the attention of the trade union.
  We would draw your attention to sections 52(4), 52(5), and 52(6). Section 52(4) requires that a copy of this report be published and made available to all members of the union within a three month period from today. This does not, however, mean that every member has to be notified individually.
Yours sincerely

Adrian Wilkins

Senior Consultant

OCD Factsheet

This is the latest factsheet produced by the CWU Equality Department. Loads more are available on the CWU website here http://www.cwu.org/factsheets.html

Mount Pleasant demo

This morning I have been at Mount Pleasant International protesting at the proposed closure of the nursery. Thanks to everyone for their support. We'll be back next Tuesday.

Fact sheet on strokes

This is the latest fact sheet produced by the CWU Equal Opportunities Department. It will be available shortly for download as a pdf at http://www.cwu.org/factsheets.html where you can also find more useful resources.

Our New Equality Poster

Please download this and display it in your workplace.

Agency Workers Regulations - minor amendments

I am indebted to Barnet Employment Law barrister for supplying the following.

A new statutory instrument, the Agency Workers (Amendment) Regulations 2011 have been made by the government, correcting some drafting errors in the original Agency Workers Regulations 2010.   

The Regulations, which come into force on 1 October 2011, provide that agency workers (ie temps) will have the same rights to pay, benefits, rest periods and holidays as someone recruited directly by the hirer (including the hirer's own directly recruited temp workers and employees).

There is a 12 week qualifying period, so genuine short-term agency temps will not qualify for this right. The 12 weeks do not have to be continuous; there can be breaks between assignments and absences on grounds of eg sickness or jury service.  
The corrections are:-

The definition of 'agency worker' in regulation 3 is changed from requiring the agency worker to have a contract with the agency which is either an employment contract or "any other contract to perform work and services personally for the agency" to "any other contract with the agency to perform work or services personally". The change clarifies that the worker does not need to be working for the agency itself;

The so-called 'Swedish Derogation' is clarified by removing another minor drafting error; and, tweaking the statutory defence in regulation 14, enabling a work agency to avoid liability for breach of the Regulations by a hirer when the agency takes reasonable steps to obtain information about the hirer's terms and conditions..

August Gay Pride events dates

The gay pride events season is in full swing. This month sees a number of events throughout the UK. Please go along. You'll have a great day out.

5-7 August 2011
Waterford Pride

Saturday 6 August 2011
Liverpool Pride

Saturday 6 August 2011 tbc
Swindon Pride

Saturday 6 August 2011
Cotswald Pride - Cheltenham

Saturday 6 August 2011Stoke Pride

Saturday 6 August 2011 tbc
Aberdeen Pride

Sunday 7 August 2011 tbc
Leeds Pride

Saturday 13 August 2011
Brighton and Hove Gay Pride - Parade and park party

Sunday 14 August 2011 tbc
Wakefield Pride

19-29 August 2011
Manchester Pride - Fringe Festival

Saturday 20 August 2011
UK Black Pride - London

Saturday 20 August 2011 tbc
Derby Goes Pink

Saturday 20 August 2011
Doncaster Pride

24-28 August 2011
Foyle Pride - North West Northern Ireland

26-29 August 2011
Manchester Gay Pride

26-28 August 2011
Kilkenny's Gay Pride - Ireland

Saturday 27 August 2011
Manchester Gay Pride - Parade

Saturday 27 August 2011
Cornwall Gay Pride - Truro

29-30 August 2011
lgbt-expofest.com - London

If you en