End Violemce Against Women!

Eliminating violence against women

26th November 2013
This week the CWU joined organisations all over the world in supporting International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

CWU leaders, Billy Hayes and John Baldwin answer UNI’s call to “Be man enough. Be a leader against gender violence”.

On a global scale the Equal Opportunities arm of UNI global union launched a video, entitled "Break the circle of violence", which focuses on the role of men in the fight against gender violence and aims to raise awareness about the campaign to address gender violence throughout the world. The campaign, called "Be man enough. Be a leader against gender violence" calls on the true protagonists of the campaign - men and women who, day in day out, struggle for a fairer and more equitable world for all - to be an agent of change and offers a host of resources and tools to enable action.
For more information visit Breaking the Circle.

Closer to home, the TUC marked the day by launching an anonymous survey to find out more about how domestic violence affects working life and the role that employers, colleagues and union reps can play in supporting those experiencing domestic abuse. The results from the survey will help trade unions develop policy and actions to support those experiencing domestic violence.
Take part in the survey >here<.

"We need to be proactive about curbing violence against women and exposing the atrocities women all over the world endure," said Linda Roy, CWU head of equalities.
Recently, the CWU welcomed new domestic abuse guidance launched by Santander UK as statistics revealed that over 7% of women and 5% of men report domestic abuse each year. An article in the latest issue of CWU's Women's Talk magazine reports that this statistic could be higher in reality as many cases in the UK go unreported.
Also reported in the latest issue of Women's Talk is a hard-hitting feature exposing the proliferation of physical and sexual violence against women in today's society. "This is a very real issue for some of our members," said Linda. "We endeavour to do what we can to make sure there are protections in place in the workplace so that victims of violence and abuse do not feel trapped by their circumstance and know they have somewhere to turn for help and support.

"I would encourage all CWU members, men and women, to support the global movement to curb violence against women - watch UNI's video and make use of their tools and resources and take the TUC survey.
"Every little bit goes a long way to raising the profile and importance of this campaign," she stressed.
Read Women's Talk Autumn/Winter 2013 for more information and visit the Equal Opportunities section of the website for helpline numbers, fact sheets and more.

Royal Mail update

Letter to Branches

No: 780/13 Ref: 21003 Date: 26th November 2013

To: ALL POSTAL BRANCHES

Dear Colleague

National Dispute

As explained in LTB 771/13, the Postal Executive met yesterday to receive a further report on progress in national negotiations.

As a result it was agreed that we should provide Branches, Representatives and Members with a brief summary of the current state of play in national talks, as well as explaining our next steps.

To do this we are using the headings contained in the agreed CWU/Royal Mail Joint Statement of the 30th October 2013.

The current position is as follows:

1. Legal Protections

We have now secured extensive legally binding undertakings from the employer on all the issues put forward by the Union. These protections will extend beyond 3 years. There are a couple of final points to resolve and we do not anticipate these preventing an agreement being reached.

2. Pay

We are currently considering an improved closed offer from the company.

3. Pensions

Negotiations have been concluded on pensions and we have secured legally binding commitments on the future of the RMPP alongside additional improvement to the Defined Contribution Scheme. The company has accepted that a pension’s agreement will be balloted on separately.

4. Industrial Stability, New Culture and Agenda for Growth

We are in the process of finalising a section on Industrial Stability which strengthens the existing IR Framework with new mediation procedures. The agreement will not include any commitment to binding arbitration or a no strike deal. The new approach will also offer CWU unprecedented access to business structures and provide the opportunity for real influence on the future direction of the company.

5. Delivery Workload Issues

Whilst some progress has been made there are still difficult areas to resolve and a fresh approach is being considered.

6. Future Parcels and Letter strategy

Drafts have been exchanged and we are confident that there are no issues that will prevent us reaching an agreement on future strategy.

7. Company Charter

The company has accepted the principle of a charter setting out the values on how Royal Mail Group will operate in the future. Drafts have been exchanged and we do not anticipate this being an issue that will prevent us reaching a final agreement.

8. Ongoing Programme of Work

We do not anticipate any issues preventing us from reaching an agreement in this section.

Next Steps

In providing branches with this summary it can be seen that real progress has been made and that the differences between us and the company have significantly narrowed from the outset of this dispute.

We understand that CWU members will be concerned about the length of time that it is taking to finalise an agreement. However, turning elements of a collective agreement into what will become a legally enforceable contract is a complicated process. It also has to be recognised that the issues involved in this dispute are in themselves wide ranging and in some cases were always going to be difficult to resolve.

The current ballot extension period continues until 23.59 on Wednesday the 27th November 2013. In our last LTB we explained that this was the last extension permissible in law. However, upon further clarification between the lawyers of both parties, it has now been confirmed that the ballot can be extended in law and remain legally valid until the 3rd December 2013, which is the last date that 7 day notice of Industrial Action can be served.

Having carefully considered the situation and the fact that in the overall negotiations good progress has been made, the Postal Executive has agreed to the company’s offer to extend the ballot until the final permissible date.

We are confident that negotiations will conclude during this period and that a final agreement will soon be placed before the Executive Council for endorsement in the very near future. The Postal Executive will meet again on Monday 2nd December 2013.

Please ensure the content of this LTB is circulated to CWU members in all workplaces.

Any enquiries on the content of this LTB should be directed to the DGS (P) Department.

Yours sincerely



Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)


Ray Ellis Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

Bob Gibson Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

TUC Domestic Violence Survey

Domestic violence may happen behind closed doors but it has far reaching consequences and is known to have an impact on the working lives of those living with an abusive partner. The TUC is conducting a survey to find out more about how domestic violence affects working life and the role that employers, colleagues, and union reps can play in supporting those experiencing domestic abuse. 
We would like to hear from anyone who has either experienced domestic violence themselves or has a friend or colleague who has experienced domestic violence.
The survey is entirely anonymous.
You will not be asked for your name, contact details or any information which could be used to identify you or your employer.
Please take a few minutes to share your experience with us and please do pass the link on to any friends or colleagues who might want to participate.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/domesticviolenceTUC
The survey will close on 1^st February 2014. 

Other update

Issued: 24 November, 2013

 

Renationalise. Do it please Mr Ed.

Please read this and sharehttp://labourlist.org/2013/10/labour-should-stick-to-the-centre-ground-and-advocate-renationalisation/.

CWU Disability Conference report

Capability tests and benefits cuts become a matter of life and death

29th October 2013
Life for disabled people in the workplace and in general society has got worse under the ConDem government to such an extent that lives are at risk. That was the resounding message from this year's CWU Disability Conference.

Delegates from across the UK met in Chester on 26th October and shared their experiences of the daily tragic impact of benefit cuts on disabled members. People are attempting suicide under the stress while others are dying in poverty while awaiting the results of appeals against essential income being taken away, conference heard.

Calls for action included active support for groups campaigning for the repeal of the bedroom tax, and the replacement of Atos - the occupational health adviser employed by Royal Mail and also the work test assessor and subsequent disability benefit adviser employed by the Government.

Marion Brain (Birmingham, Black Country and Worcester branch) said that Atos had left one of her branch members without a penny for six weeks: "Instead of removing the barriers to disabled people they are making the barriers higher. We have to oppose this company. They are only concerned about making money."

Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) member Brian Booth listed some of the fundamental problems: "People can't have face to face meetings when they need them, the person is distraught, reports are rubbish and they quite happily ill health retire our members then have to wait, subject to appeal, for very lengthy periods of time. What that does to an individual's health is atrocious. "

Brian reminded delegates that Atos are also used by the government and that, out of the 1.8 million cases that the company judged as fit for work, 600,00 went to appeal and a third of these won. "Some people who have been judged fit to work went on to die before their appeal was heard, which is disgusting. We don't think Atos is fit for purpose," he said.
Tony Pedel from York and District Amal branch described Atos as Royal Mail's vehicle for threats, intimidation and removing people from the company.

Conference also urged the union to get BT to end the company's increasing emphasis on managing people with a medical condition out of their role where they are still capable of undertaking it. They said BT is driving through unfair performance targets but not making reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities.

There was a string of examples from speakers who knew of disabled members who have been undertaking the same role for years, but are now being pushed out of their jobs by BT because the company is increasingly using and abusing MCC process (managing changing capabilities).

Jason Reynolds (Capital branch) explained: "These members are having their jobs taken away where all that has changed is the targets. They are being made unemployable without reasonable adjustment. This questions where it leaves BT with the Disability Discrimination Act."

Gail Wright, (Birmingham, Black Country and Worcester) told conference: "We've had three people attempt suicide this year by people told they could be out of a job". Afterwards Gail added: "Their situations were made worse by the issues brought up by discrimination at work due to their disability. And its not just happening at our branch."

Joyce Stevenson from Scotland No. 1 branch was among the who attacked BT's target culture. "BT just seems to be about unfair performance targets. When people ask for an explanation as to how they have set a target it seems to be a target plucked out of the air."

Describing his own experience, one speaker recalled: "The problem is that the managers don't have a clue. I was put on the MCC process but they concentrated on what I couldn't do, not what I could do."

DAC member Jeffrey Till said too many managers ignore the fact that "the process is supposed to be about them doing everything they can to keep you in the job you are doing."

Anne Nickolson was among those who pointed to BT's contradiction in public appearance and actual approach: "They employ disabled people but don't do a lot about keeping them."

Meanwhile, the Conference supported the DAC motion for the union to negotiate with Royal Mail on the introduction of a reasonable adjustments card system with all businesses in the Royal Mail Group.

Looking beyond the workplace, delegates agreed that the union should back the abolition of the bedroom tax encouraging support of groups such as Disabled People Against the Cuts (DPAC) and the Anti Bedroom Tax Federation.

West London branch's Linda Kietz said: "Many disabled people need an extra bedroom. The bedroom tax needs to be repealed now and we must support the groups fighting for this. If it's not bad enough being disabled, you've got Atos on your back and now the bedroom tax."

The law only affects people in council or housing association homes who are deemed to have a spare room, forcing people to pay extra rent, or move. DAC member Annmarie McCall pointed out that the bedroom tax only hits vulnerable people in our society.

Guest speaker Adam Lotun from DPAC, addressing delegates from his wheelchair: "The bedroom tax is an abhorrent piece of legislation. There are so many things wrong with it. It is unfair, undemocratic and downright immoral".

He is among the thousands of disabled people fighting to reclaim justified and essential benefits that have been taken from them after years.
"We estimate that about 1,700 people have died or committed suicide when they've been told they have lost their benefits or their job; some have died while waiting on appeal," Adam concluded.

General secretary Billy Hayes told Conference: "When you hear the distressing stories about the bedroom tax you know what a scandal it is. Eighty per cent of people with severe disabilities across the EU do not have a job. It's quite clear that we are not all in this together." He said that an increase in hate crime against disabled people was "exacerbated by the dehumanising narrative of the media."

He congratulated the tireless work carried out by the DAC, supported its continued success in campaigning on behalf of the most vulnerable in society, and said that lobbying remains important because "this government is no friend of disabled people". Further success by the union means "We've got to move from being the patient to being the doctor. That means we have to solve things," said Billy.

The proportionality and representation review is a major focus of the union, he said, to ensure that that the union's structures are representative of its members.

"Hidden" disabilities came under the spotlight when Conference delegates agreed that the union should hold an awareness week to make union activists, workers and managers aware of the needs of people with disabilities such as chronic fatigue syndrome, schizophrenia, depression and anxiety. Another discussion supported the need to increase awareness of of neurodiversity and the impact that conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia and attention deficit disorder have on people in the workplace.

Read Billy's speech in full on Billy's blog.

National equality officer, Linda Roy and DAC chair Tony Sneddon set the tone for some of the key themes of the conference when they opened the event.

"Support for disabled people is being eroded by this Government," stressed Linda. "We will do everything we can to give disabled people a voice through campaigning, talking to employers, taking employers to task and lobbying Parliament."

Tony added: "Austerity measures are putting disabled people at severe disadvantages compared to our able bodied colleagues. Disabled people are poor and fifty per cent live in poverty. We will continue the fight against discrimination and unfair and unjust treatment."

Also guest speaking was Ruth Stafferton who was invited to explain the work of Cancer Research UK, which depends entirely on donations. The biggest proportion of its expenditure is on laboratory research on cells. Thanks to the charity's groundbreaking work on early diagnosis, prevention and drug trials, survival rates have dramatically improved since the 1970s. However, explained Ruth, the charity's forthcoming challenge will be dealing with rarer cancers which people will develop having survived initial cancers.

Post Office staff to strike wit Royal Mail on Monday

From: Sian Jones
Sent: 29 October 2013 13:58
Subject: Press release: Post Office staff to strike with Royal Mail on Monday

29^th October 2013

For immediate release
Post Office staff to strike with Royal Mail on Monday

Staff in the country’s network of 372 Crown post offices will take a thirteenth round of strike action on Monday 4 November. Staff working in admin and supply chain functions (such as Post Office cash vans) will also take a first day of strike action in a dispute over pay. The action is being coordinated with strike action by Royal Mail and Parcelforce staff.

The long-running Crown office dispute affects up to 4,000 staff and is over a pay freeze, plans to close and/or franchise 75 offices and cut up to 1,500 jobs. The admin and supply chain dispute involves up to 1,500 people and is in reaction to a pay freeze.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: “We are coordinating strike action across postal companies for Monday 4 November to increase the impact of the action and try and focus the minds of company negotiators.

“Post Office management is out of touch with its staff and customers over plans to close Crown offices and cut staff. The company is unfairly imposing pay freezes on both Crown staff and now admin and supply chain workers while senior managers have enjoyed significant bonus payments. These double-standards cannot continue and we hope to make progress in talks this week.”

Talks are scheduled for Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 October to discuss the future of the Crown office network.

The Post Office wants to close and/or franchise 75 Crown offices, 20% of the network, and cut up to 1,500 jobs. These main offices make up 3% of total post office network but handle 20% of all customers and 40% of all financial services sales making them the powerhouse of the network. Staff at Crown Post Offices have not had a pay rise since April 2011 while all other staff represented by CWU in the Post Office have had two pay rises totalling 6.75% in this period. Last year head office managers shared a bonus pot of £15.4 million and Chief Executive Paul Vennells received £697,000 – an increase of 37% on the previous year.

Strike action will affect up to 4,000 staff working in 372 Crown (main) post offices. Post Office staff voted by nine to one (88%) in favour of strike action and have already taken strike action on twelve previous occasions: Easter Saturday, 19 and 29 April, 7 and 28 May, 20 June and 29 June, 17 and 29 July, 24 and 26/7 August and 30 September or 1 October.

The closure and franchising plans are meeting stiff opposition across the country with tens of thousands signing petitions, and public meetings unanimously rejecting the plans.

A full list of post offices involved in the dispute and those under threat of closure is available at: http://www.cwu.org/pay-and-the-future-of-the-crown-office.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
www.cwu.org www.cwutv.org Twitter: @CWUnews

 Notes to editors
CWU represents non-managerial staff working throughout the Post Office. CWU is the largest trade union in the communications sector with more than 200,000 members working in post, telecoms, mobile and financial services, working as delivery people, drivers, engineers, call centre staff, support services and other roles.

What is a Crown Post Office?
A Crown Post Office is one directly-owned and managed by Post Office Ltd. They are the larger branches, normally in town and city centres, with organised queuing systems and a full range of Post Office products and services.
·         There are 372 of these large offices
·         This is 3% of the post office network, but...
·         Crowns handle 20% of all Post Office customers (up to 4 million a week)
·         Crowns do 40% of all Post Office financial services sales
The original figures of 373 crown offices and 76 under threat has reduced to 372 and 75 because Broadgate, central London, has been closed.
Bonuses
·         Chief Executive Paul Vennells received a 37% increase in her reward package, taking home £697,000 in 2012/13 in comparison to £510,000 for 2011/12.
·         A Freedom of Information Request by the National Federation of Subpostmasters revealed post office managers shared a bonus pot of £15.4 million for 2012/13.
Ballot result
CWU members in Crown offices voted 88% in favour of strike action on a 75% turnout on 8^th March 2013.
CWU members in Crown offices voted 90% in favour of industrial action short of strike on a 58% turnout on 15^th August 2013.
CWU members in admin and supply chain voted 76% in favour of strike action on 24^th October 2013.
The pay dispute
CWU submitted a pay claim of 3.5% for 2012/13 and 3.25% for 2013/14. This is exactly the same increase that staff in other parts of the Post Office received.
From Sian Jones | Press Officer
E sbjones@cwu.org | T 020 8971 7267 | M 0779 3314249 | Twitter @CWUnews
Communication Workers Union  The communications union
Headquarters 150 The Broadway | Wimbledon | SW19 1RX

T 020 8971 7200 | F 020 8971 7300 | www.cwu.org | www.cwutv.org

Election of delegates to TUC equality conferences

LTB722/13 - CWU Delegates to the TUC Equality Conference?s - 2014 No. LTB722/13           Ref:TK/PM/SN Date: 28th October 2013   To: All Branch Secretaries   Dear Colleague   Elections of:   CWU Delegates to the TUC Equality Conference’s - 2014   Please find attached the regulations, nomination forms and Candidate consent and biographical details forms for the above Conferences. The details of which are  as follows:-   TUC WOMEN’S CONFERENCE   Date:          12 – 14 March 2014 Venue:       Congress House, London   TUC BLACK WORKERS CONFERENCE   Date:          11 – 13 April 2014 Venue:       Congress House, London   TUC DISABLED WORKERS CONFERENCE   Date:          TBC - 2014 Venue:       Congress House, London   TUC LGBT WORKERS CONFERENCE   Date:          TBC - 2014 Venue:       Congress House, London   The Timetable for the elections is as follow:   Nominations open:                             29 October 2013          Nominations close:                             12 November 2013 (14.00) Despatch ballot papers:            19 November 2013 Ballot closes:                              3 December 2013 (14.00) Reminders:- All candidates for election to the TUC Women’s Conference must be women. All nominees require the nomination of their own Branch. Any enquiries regarding this LTB should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary’s Department on telephone number 0208 971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.   Yours sincerely,     Tony Kearns                                     Senior Deputy General Secretary

More info +

Elections to equality advisory committees

Get your nominations in!

13LTB721 - Election of National Representative Positions ? 2014 No. LTB721/13 Ref: TK/PM/sn Date: 28th October 2013   To: All Branches   Dear Colleague   Election of National Representative Positions – 2014   ·         Women’s Advisory Committee ·         Race Advisory Committee ·         Lesbian and Gay Bisexual and Transgender Advisory Committee ·         Disability Advisory Committee ·         Members Auditors ·         Independent Review Body           The NEC has agreed the election arrangements for the above National Representative positions listed above. Accordingly please find enclosed the regulations and nomination forms for these elections.   Branches will wish to note that the term of office for these positions is for a 2 year period commencing from 1st January 2014.   Also attached are the dates for the meetings of the CWU Equality Advisory Committees scheduled to be held in 2014   The Timetable for the elections is as follows:-   Nominations open               29 October 2013 Nominations close               12 November 2013 (14:00) Despatch ballot papers        19 November 2013 Ballot closes                        3 December 2013 (14.00)   Any enquiries regarding this Letter to Branches should be addressed to the Senior Deputy General Secretary Department on telephone number 020 8971 7237 or email address sdgs@cwu.org.   Yours sincerely   Tony Kearns                                     Senior Deputy General Secretary

More info +

Challenge to ET fees

I am indebted to Pauline Rourke for supplying the following.

IMPORTANT PRESS RELEASE
FOX AND PARTNERS
LEGAL CHALLENGE TO INTRODUCTION OF FEES IN EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS
Scottish Law firm- Fox and Partners - launches Judicial Review
Fox and Partners have today lodged a petition for Judicial Review at the Court of Session in Edinburgh to challenge the introduction of fees within the Employment Tribunal System and the EAT in Scotland. For the first time in the history of Employment Tribunals the UK government proposes to introduce fees on 29th July 2013. These fees will make it much more difficult, if not impossible, for low paid women to lodge equal pay claims, place a financial burden upon workers who are unfairly dismissed or made redundant and will impose a monetary penalty on employees who wish to lodge a whistle blowing case. Ordinary workers with relatively small claims for unlawful deduction of wages, unpaid holidays or failure to pay the national minimum wage will be deterred from pursuing their statutory rights as the fees may be disproportionate to the potential award.
We believe that the imposition of fees in principle is unjust as this will further limit access to justice in Scotland. In the present economic climate we wish to protect employment rights and have therefore instructed an eminent QC to take legal action to challenge the imposition of fees in Scotland. Our decision to lodge this petition is also supported by Stefan Cross QC as he has expressed grave concerns about these fees and the continued rights of women to pursue equal pay cases in Scotland.
The level of the proposed tribunal fees are far higher than any other court in Scotland as they appear to have been modelled upon English courts. In order to lodge a case for discrimination or unfair dismissal a claimant must first pay £250 to have the complaint accepted by the Employment Tribunal and a further £950 before the case can proceed to a full hearing. Equal pay cases which we have pursued on behalf of low paid women since 2005 will now have to pay fees for any appeal. They will be required to lodge a fee of £400 to institute the appeal and a further £1200 for an appeal hearing. Yet fees in Scottish Courts have traditionally been at a much more affordable level of for example, £48 and £207 fees respectively in ordinary causes in the Sheriff Courts.
Leading Senior Counsel, Jonathan Mitchell QC has been instructed on our behalf and we have intimated the petition to the Advocate General for Scotland, the Presidents of the Employment Tribunal in Scotland and the EAT in London. We have also served papers on the Equality and Human Rights Commission and the Lord Advocate as interested parties. We believe that the new Regulations fail to comply with European, Human Rights or Equality Law and wish to ensure that Scottish Judges
have a full opportunity to debate these important issues before the imposition of these unjust fees. We seek an interim interdict to prevent the imposition of fees pending a full court hearing addressing these matters. The initial hearing is listed for Thursday 4th July 2013 at 10am at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
Fox and Partners is the specialist employment law firm of Scotland which only represents claimants. We have therefore taken this legal action to protect the interests of all existing and future claimants to ensure that we uphold the principle of equality and access to justice for low paid workers. Our record of fighting mass equal pay cases since 2005 and pursuing individual employment cases for claimants places us in a unique position to challenge these regulations and the imposition of unjust and unaffordable fees.
Notes to Editors:
1. Fox and Partners represents over 12,500 claimants with equal pay cases underway at the Employment Tribunal.
2. In addition we specialise in employment law and have over 40 years combined experience of representing claimants before the Employment Tribunal.
3. Employment Tribunals were originally called Industrial Tribunals with the intention of open access to peoples’ courts where individuals could more easily enforce their employment rights.
4. If further comment is required please speak to Carol Fox at Fox and Partners on 0131 652 7360 or out of hours 07962 158940.

Thank you all so much

The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
Tel: 020 8365 8909 | Fax: 020 8365 8587
www.electoralreform.co.uk | enquiries@electoralreform.co.uk
Electoral Reform Services Limited | Registered No. 2263092 | Registered Office: 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
4th July 2013
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
ELECTION OF OFFICERS, NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL & NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES
Our report of voting for the above elections, which closed at first post on Tuesday 2nd July
2013, is as follows:
Deputy General Secretary (P)
WARD, Dave ................................................... Elected Unopposed
Deputy General Secretary (T&FS)
KERR, Andy .................................................... Elected Unopposed
Assistant Secretary Equal Opportunities
Number of eligible voters: 201,985
Votes cast by post: 24,449
Total number of votes cast: 24,449
Turnout: 12,1%
Number of votes found to be invalid: 2,938
Total number of valid votes to be counted: 21,511
Result (1 to elect)
ROY, Linda ........................................................ 13,408 Elected
CORNELIUS, Vicki ................................................ 8,103
Assistant Secretary Health, Safety & Environment
JOYCE, Dave ................................................... Elected Unopposed
Assistant Secretary Postal (Outdoor)
GIBSON, Bob ................................................... Elected Unopposed
Assistant Secretary T&FS (1)
O’CALLAGHAN, Colin ......................................... Elected Unopposed
The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
Tel: 020 8365 8909 | Fax: 020 8365 8587
www.electoralreform.co.uk | enquiries@electoralreform.co.uk
Electoral Reform Services Limited | Registered No. 2263092 | Registered Office: 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
Assistant Secretary T&FS (2)
EAST, John ..................................................... Elected Unopposed
Assistant Secretary T&FS (3)
ELDRED, Allan ................................................. Elected Unopposed
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: 124,330
Votes cast by post: 13,835
Total number of votes cast: 13,835
Turnout: 11.1%
Number of votes found to be invalid: 219
Total number of valid votes to be counted: 13,616
Result (9 to elect)
BROWNE, Phil .................................................... 6,479 Elected
BAULCH, Mark .................................................... 6,107 Elected
KAVANAGH, Mick ................................................. 5,993 Elected
WARD, Ian ......................................................... 5,653 Elected
ROBERTSON, Davie .............................................. 5,192 Elected
MADEN, Carl ...................................................... 5,151 Elected
ALI, Mahmood .................................................... 4,913 Elected
QUIRKE, Katrina .................................................. 4,687 Elected
MALONE, Joe ..................................................... 4,546 Elected
BOUCH, Tony ..................................................... 4,377
WEATHERALL, Bobby ............................................ 4,122
DUDD, Kye ........................................................ 3,921
DEVENPORT, Bruce .............................................. 3,833
HOPPING, Andy .................................................. 3,774
The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
Tel: 020 8365 8909 | Fax: 020 8365 8587
www.electoralreform.co.uk | enquiries@electoralreform.co.uk
Electoral Reform Services Limited | Registered No. 2263092 | Registered Office: 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
Postal Executive – Postal Grades Representatives
Number of eligible voters: 122,388
Votes cast by post: 13,657
Total number of votes cast: 13,657
Turnout: 11.2%
Number of votes found to be invalid: 144
Total number of valid votes to be counted: 13,513
Result (13 to elect)
BROWNE, Phil .................................................... 6,462 Elected*
BAULCH, Mark .................................................... 6,147 Elected*
KAVANAGH, Mick ................................................. 6,021 Elected*
WARD, Ian ......................................................... 5,858 Elected*
ROBERTSON, Davie .............................................. 5,513 Elected*
MADEN, Carl ...................................................... 5,369 Elected*
ALI, Mahmood .................................................... 5,257 Elected*
QUIRKE, Katrina .................................................. 4,863 Elected*
MALONE, Joe ..................................................... 4,861 Elected*
BOUCH, Tony ..................................................... 4,847 Elected
McNALLY, Lesley (nee McLEAN) ............................... 4,755 Elected
WEATHERALL, Bobby ............................................ 4,652 Elected
HOPPING, Andy .................................................. 4,558 Elected
BANBURY, Shelley ............................................... 4,482
DUDD, Kye ........................................................ 4,278
DEVENPORT, Bruce .............................................. 4,152
DAVIES, Huw ...................................................... 3,772
*Already elected to NEC so automatically members of the Postal Executive.
Postal Executive – Postal and 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
JUKES, Dave ................................................... Elected Unopposed
The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
Tel: 020 8365 8909 | Fax: 020 8365 8587
www.electoralreform.co.uk | enquiries@electoralreform.co.uk
Electoral Reform Services Limited | Registered No. 2263092 | Registered Office: 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
National Executive Council – Telecoms & Financial Services Constituency Representatives
Number of eligible voters: 56,903
Votes cast by post: 6,098
Total number of votes cast: 6,098
Turnout: 10.7%
Number of votes found to be invalid: 351
Total number of valid votes to be counted: 5,747
Result (6 to elect)
UPTON, Julia ..................................................... 3,469 Elected
ROSE, Karen ...................................................... 3,468 Elected
DARBYSHIRE, Nick ............................................... 3,264 Elected
O’BRIEN, Brendan ............................................... 3,241 Elected
McGLYNN, Chic ................................................... 3,137 Elected
RYAN, Gerry ...................................................... 3,100 Elected
BALLARD, John ................................................... 1,879
RICHARDS, Winston .............................................. 1,537
KEITZ, Linda ...................................................... 1,517
WALDER, Clive ................................................... 1,505
ROCHESTER, Ryan ............................................... 1,242
HOUGHTON, Mick ................................................ 1,221
Telecoms & Financial Services Executive – Santander Representative
Number of eligible voters: 2,952
Votes cast by post: 344
Total number of votes cast: 344
Turnout: 11.7%
Number of votes found to be invalid: 0
Total number of valid votes to be counted: 344
Result (1 to elect)
CORT, Debbie .................................................... 188 Elected
HEATH, Cathryn .................................................. 156
The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
Tel: 020 8365 8909 | Fax: 020 8365 8587
www.electoralreform.co.uk | enquiries@electoralreform.co.uk
Electoral Reform Services Limited | Registered No. 2263092 | Registered Office: 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
Telecoms & Financial Services Executive – Telefonica O2 Representative
Number of eligible voters: 3,379
Votes cast by post: 140
Total number of votes cast: 140
Turnout: 4.1%
Number of votes found to be invalid: 0
Total number of valid votes to be counted: 140
Result (1 to elect)
WALMSLEY, Sandra .............................................. 91 Elected
CASE, Ryan ........................................................ 49
Telecoms & Financial Services Executive – Virgin Media, Fujitsu (Virgin Media Contract),
McNicholas and Comex 2000 (Virgin Media Contract) Representative
UTLEY, Ian ..................................................... Elected Unopposed
Telecoms & Financial Services Executive – BT/Other Companies Representatives
Number of eligible voters: 53,187
Votes cast by post: 5,570
Total number of votes cast: 5,570
Turnout: 10.5%
Number of votes found to be invalid: 101
Total number of valid votes to be counted: 5,469
Result (5 to elect)
FUSSEY, Tracey .................................................. 3,167 Elected
ALBON, Stephen ................................................. 3,047 Elected
WOOLLEY, Ken ................................................... 3,032 Elected
BUCKLEY, Tracy .................................................. 2,987 Elected
COOPER, Tom .................................................... 2,949 Elected
BALLARD, John ................................................... 1,663
RICHARDS, Winston .............................................. 1,406
KEITZ, Linda ...................................................... 1,321
WALDER, Clive ................................................... 1,321
ROCHESTER, Ryan ............................................... 1,024
HOUGHTON, Mick ................................................ 803
FRANCIS, Peter ................................................... 598
The Election Centre, 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
Tel: 020 8365 8909 | Fax: 020 8365 8587
www.electoralreform.co.uk | enquiries@electoralreform.co.uk
Electoral Reform Services Limited | Registered No. 2263092 | Registered Office: 33 Clarendon Road, London N8 0NW
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 TUink 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.
Adrian Wilkins
Senior Consultant

Royal Mail offer rejected

No. 445/13
Ref: 21003 
Date: 1st July 2013

To: All Branches with Postal Members

Dear Colleague

ROYAL MAIL PAY AND CONDITIONS OFFER - REJECTED
It was reported previously that as the Consultative Ballot concluded, the Union received a three year closed pay and conditions offer from the company. The purpose of this LTB is to confirm the detail of the offer and explain why it has been rejected. 
THE ROYAL MAIL PAY AND CONDITIONS OFFER
1. Pay
Year One (April 1st 2013 to March 31st 2014) - 2.6% basic pay increase + £300 lump sum payable December 2013 (subject to Industrial Action clause) * 
Year Two (April 1st 2014 to March 31st 2015) - 3% basic pay increase (subject to review if inflation is below 2.3% or above 3.3%) *
Year Three (April 1st 2015 to March 31st 2016) - 2.8% basic pay increase (subject to the same review of inflation) *
* All basic pay increases to flow through to Overtime/Scheduled Attendance rates, all allowances including Shift, London Weighting and Scottish Distant Island Allowance.
2. The pay offer is conditional on acceptance of the following:
* Acceptance of the previously rejected pension proposals currently out to consultation.
* Three year protection of existing contracts of employment and some other terms and conditions, alongside a commitment to no outsourcing for the three year duration of the deal.
* The development of an agenda for growth and stability with a commitment to a workplan to take this forward.

CWU Reasons for Rejection
In considering the offer the Executive recognise that in today's climate the pay element will be seen as significant, but the offer must also be viewed as an overall package and in the context of our major concerns over the company's future strategy, pensions, privatisation and end to end competition. Further reasons for rejecting the offer are as follows:
* The pay element in isolation does not meet with the terms of CWU policy and we will be seeking a higher, more straightforward settlement. 
Neither does the pay element address our claim for significantly improved overtime rates and new bonus arrangements. 
As well as a higher basic pay award, the Union will be seeking more certainty in any long-term deal, rather than inflation reopener clauses.
* The linkage to the previously rejected pension proposals is unacceptable. 
* The protection of some terms and conditions included in the offer is a key Union agenda item. However, the protections attached to this offer are neither extensive enough, explicit enough nor adequate in their longevity. Neither are they legally enforceable and would not offer CWU members any protection in the event of a change in ownership.
* An agenda for growth and stability is something the Union has wanted and will support if the conditions are right. However, this offer lacks clarity over the future and is not a substitute for a proper agreement over the company's future parcels strategy.
Next Steps
All in all, although this offer has been rejected, it does demonstrate that the company now appear to be serious about resolving issues that have been on the Union's agenda for some time. 
The Union is committed to further negotiations and a meeting has been arranged with the company later this week. Please ensure the content of this LTB is distributed to all local workplaces.
A further LTB will be issued this week confirming arrangements for a Conference/Policy Forum, alongside a Special Report setting out our next steps. Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the DGS (P) Department.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward 
Deputy General Secretary (P)

Postal workers say NO to privatisation

Ballot result – postal workers say no to privatisation

19th June 2013

The Communication Workers Union can today (Wednesday) announce the result of its consultative ballot which closed yesterday. Ballot papers were distributed to 112,000 postal workers in Royal Mail (not the Post Office or Parcelforce) asking four questions. 

The results, on a 74% turnout, are: 

Q1: Do you oppose the privatisation of Royal Mail? YES 96% Q2: Do you support the boycott of competitors' mail? YES 92%
Q3: Do you support the CWU Pay claim? YES 99% Q4: Do you support the policy of non-cooperation? YES 92% 

Ballot papers were collected, counted and verified by independent scrutineer Popularis. 

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "No-one has yet asked postal workers what they think about privatisation. Today postal workers have spoken loud and clear with a massive 96% roundly rejecting the government's plans to privatise Royal Mail. The workforce does not support the government or Royal Mail on selling the company. This company is flourishing in public ownership as the recent doubling of profits proves. It's becoming less clear what this policy is about. Why privatise this profitable company? 

"Today's ballot result shows we have resounding support for all the union's policies. This is a strong message to take forward action in each area to improve the working lives of postal workers and protect the services and jobs which customers and communities value." 

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "This ballot result is a damning rejection of the tired old government privatisation policy and the actions of the Royal Mail board in support of this. Postal workers have worked incredibly hard to turn the fortunes of the company around. Royal Mail is not a financial basket case and they know privatisation is only benefitting vested interests. 

"Postal workers are not going to sacrifice their souls for a so-called 10% stake when they know their jobs, pensions and conditions are once again under threat. 

"The government and Royal Mail have completely alienated the workforce and it's time for serious negotiations to find a solution that really can align the interests of workers, customers and the company. If not, then prolonged industrial conflict is inevitable.

"On a mail boycott, Royal Mail workers have shown they understand the threat to the universal service from unfair competition and the race to the bottom on their own terms and conditions. The way competition is being introduced does not benefit customers, small businesses or postal workers in whatever company they work for."

CWU response to the ballot result in more detail: 

Q1: Privatisation

Royal Mail isn't a financial basket case; it's not a burden on the state and doesn't take any grants. Selling the company only benefits those with vested interests. Privatisation is about taking profits out and not reinvesting in the service. Royal Mail is successful in public ownership and is modernising. There is no need for privatisation to secure access to capital. Network Rail - also a public body - has borrowed billions on private capital markets without it adding to the public debt or causing the government to "choose between funding hospital and schools" or the business, as it has claimed in respect to Royal Mail. 

Q2: Mail boycott

Ofcom and Royal Mail have no strategy for dealing with the threat that end to end competition poses to the universal service. 

The government and Ofcom need to act to address the rigged competition system which threatens to destabilise the universal service. This is made more urgent given TNT's announcement yesterday that they are expanding their street deliveries in SW London and intend to create 20,000 jobs. They will only do this by paying low wages and by pulling work from Royal Mail which will destabilise the company's ability to deliver post to all addresses - rural and urban. TNT is being allowed to deliver what they want, where they want and when they want with no quality of service standards. They are being allowed to get away with this by a government and regulator which either don't understand or don't care about the postal service. 

Q3: Pay

A pay rise for Royal Mail workers was due on the 1^st April 2013. The CWU has set out clearly what we want - an above-inflation two-year pay deal to ensure the workforce is fairly rewarded for their hard work in contributing to the success of the business, which includes recent profits in excess of £400 million.

Q4: Workplace issues and non-cooperation

The workforce has supported difficult change and over the last three years has successfully turned the fortunes of the company around. This has been with, not despite of, the workforce. Now, because of privatisation, we're seeing unrealistic budget cuts which are putting too much pressure on postal workers in many workplaces. 

Next steps

The union's postal executive will meet in the near future to decide how we will take all these issues forwards