MAKE ASTAND Coverage ofBT, Openreach andEEstrike ballot inside TO IT’S TIME TO

Spring 2021 Conference preview Royal MailPathway Trans awareness Equality Special BT Count MeIn to Change Campaign P7/811 P22/23 P16/17 P4/5 GS COLUMN DGS (T&FS)

GET IN TOUCH... We must now prepare for the dispute to come CWU HQ – all enquiries “ 150 The Broadway, The latest from Wimbledon, London ur ongoing dispute with BT over Their highly principled stand is an SW19 1RX T: 020 8971 7200 Dave Ward, your compulsory redundancies and inspiration to us all and goes to the heart of In most cases your branch should be Omultiple attacks on terms and what being in a trade union and working as your first point of contact. Details are General Secretary conditions is drawing to a head, with a collective is all about. Please take a look at on your membership card. BT showing no signs of backing down in the article about our fantastic RPE members Harassment Helpline negotiations. further on in this edition. (P9) 0800 090 2303 We have had no alternative but to take the Have you changed your address, decision to hold a nationwide industrial action ‘Our ongoing workplace or hours? It is just over a year since the first deaths from coronavirus ballot and, when that ballot takes place, the Please inform CWU about any telecoms and financial services executive is dispute with BT changes to your membership details. were recorded in the UK and it’s been a year when we’ve been unanimous in urging you to vote YES. There are three different ways to over compulsory update your membership details: reminded about whose work is really valuable to society. There’s a full and detailed article on the redundancies and issue on the following pages, but for now, I Option 1 – Log into the members’ There’s no doubt that CWU members have proved themselves want to express how much we appreciate the multiple attacks on only section of the CWU website (www.cwu.org), using the username to be absolutely essential in keeping the country connected. full support of the whole union in our struggle terms and conditions and password you have previously and ask every one of you to prepare for the been sent, and change your own dispute to come. is drawing to a details. n these circumstances, when key workers have What is crucial in the Pathway to Change head, and we must Option 2 – Contact your branch been applauded for their efforts and there’s a agreement, is the commitment from Royal Mail to secretary with your new details. I growing consensus that we must build a better working with us on a new strategy; to growing in new prepare for the Option 3 – Contact CWU HQ on society for the future, expectations on employers areas, to providing new services and to tapping into dispute to come.’ 020 8971 7447 or email your new de- change. They must live up to their responsibility to the knowledge of our members on the frontline in tails to [email protected] and we the country and their workers. order to do this. Of course taking industrial action in will make the necessary changes. In BT, we are now seeing the opposite. For the Expanding the role of postal workers in their Covid times it not a decision we take lightly, Please help us help you – keep your past nine months with the Count Me In campaign, communities, providing new products for local particularly due to the impending impact the details up to date. our members have been taking a stand against a huge businesses and investing and innovating is the way pandemic has and will continue to have on cost-cutting programme of compulsory redundancies, Royal Mail stays relevant and has a future. future jobs and the economy. Almost all of private homes and it’s vital that the trade attacks on terms and conditions and site closures that As negotiators, we know that this agreement was our telecoms and financial services members union movement seeks safeguards that protect is just getting started. only possible because of the magnificent support have worked throughout the crisis – keeping privacy and ensures surveillance isn’t used in a The 97.9 per cent yes vote in last year’s of our members and our representative structures. the UK connected, delivering fibre broadband discriminatory way. consultative ballot sent a clear message to BT – our We now have the platform to create our future and and providing contact centre help and advice, We must also recognise, that those who CWU Legal Services: UNIONLINE members won’t accept this and we are not backing we must continue to work together to seize this including vital financial support to people simply can’t work remotely – often the least 0300 333 0303 down. In Openreach, engineers are already taking opportunity. and businesses. We’re proud of the resilience well-off and those living in cramped or shared UNIONLINE is the CWU’s very own strike action and we will now be balloting for Finally, in this edition of The Voice there is a and bravery they’ve shown. Our members’ accommodation – stand to be the worst law firm offering members and their industrial action across the whole of BT in the focus on the union’s equality and proportionality Of course, we all hope that the company contribution over the past year should be affected by any widespread shift to ‘expected’ families a fast route to free, coming weeks. agenda, something that has become all the more will see sense and move away from compulsory recognised and rewarded. or ‘enforced’ homeworking. comprehensive legal advice. To all our members in BT my message is simple – important with the issues exposed by the pandemic. redundancies – but we must all be prepared for For our members who have been fortunate The CWU will be watching closely and To register a claim or for any now is the time to stand together and the union will But I also want to say this; bringing equality action if this does not happen. to keep their family and loved ones safe by standing firm to ensure our members privacy legal advice call UNIONLINE back you all the way. We have built a machine that can into the mainstream and ensuring our key political I’d also like to express once again my being part of the giant ‘experiment’ in working is protected and those who are unable to on 0300 333 0303 deliver and we will mobilise all of the resources of the and industrial campaigns reflect all our members’ huge admiration for our repayment project at home, this is now throwing up profound work at home aren’t faced with compulsory More information at union to do so. priorities and experiences is fundamental to us as a engineers in Openreach who, by the time of questions over the future world of work. redundancy. www.unionline.co.uk The dispute with Royal Mail, and the agreement union. reading, will have taken 10 days of strike action While some, but not all, employers Editor The Voice the union secured last year, is an example of what It is what allows us to bring people together and in the absence of any management rethink of have embraced new ways of working that Karl Stewart we can achieve. For years, the company had seen it underpins collective action. With the challenges imposed changes to the grading of the RPE seemed inconceivable pre-pandemic there’s [email protected] the key to its future as becoming a low-cost parcels we face across the movement, there has never been a role. no doubt that employers are also waking up Design CWU operator, abandoning the USO and joining the race more important time for this. to potential benefits for their bottom line. Cover image © Max Miechowski to the bottom in order to compete. It was clear this Already it looks probable that some companies Andy Kerr would never secure our members’ jobs and terms and will never return to an entirely office-based DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY conditions for the future. model. Instead, more and more companies (T&FS) CWU DEATH BENEFIT are contemplating a ‘new normal’ based on a In accordance with the terms ex- hybrid of remote and office working. pressed in CWU Rule 4.1.11, branches Dave Ward Hybrid working could work for many are advised that from the 1st October members and it’s an area we’ve pursued 2020 the CWU Death Benefit payment ‘BT members: Now GENERAL SECRETARY increased to £857. in BT, asking them to consider this as an Any enquiries regarding this letter is the time to stand alternative to redundancy for people whose should be addressed to the senior offices are closing. However, whilst it may deputy general secretary’s department together and this work for some, trade unions need to approach on telephone number 020 8971 7237 or email [email protected] union will back you all the potential new way of working with trepidation. Widespread homeworking has the way.’ massively increased the level of surveillance and workplace monitoring taking place in

2 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 3 COUNT ME IN COUNT ME IN BT BOSSES: YOU WANTED A FIGHT– YOU’VE GOT ONE! NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION BALLOT CALLED ACROSS BT, OPENREACH & EE

BT Group’s refusal to properly negotiate with the union or halt its brutal compulsory redundancy programme has left the CWU with no choice. A nationwide strike ballot has been called and we’re preparing for action...

he first national industrial action negotiators unanimously agreeing that, one by one, simply because a new breed of security, terms and conditions, grading and The consequences of an arrogant and stand, it seems management have chosen the in BT in 34 years is now a racing without any apparent company willingness management wants to stamp its mark by career progression erupting across BT – and confrontational management approach, which latter, and that’s something the CWU can Tcertainty, with the CWU poised to go to negotiate meaningfully on the key areas of making compulsory redundancies as a matter initial announcements associated with the refuses to accept questioning of its high- never stand for.” to war over an unprecedented and sustained disagreement, the time for talking is over. of warped principle. Better Workplace Programme and different handed diktats even when they are plainly Deputy general secretary Andy Kerr agrees, company-wide assault on job security and Just hours earlier, top-level talks – a last- “If BT don’t want us to ballot, then they divisions’ location strategies raising the wrong, came to a head this month, with the saying: “My message to management at this hard-won terms and conditions. ditch bid to avert the need for the ballot – had can have us back round the negotiating table spectre of mass staff displacement – the CWU union’s small but fiercely loyal membership momentous moment is simple. If they think Barring a dramatic 11th-hour about turn broken down without tangible movement by just as soon as they want. Our door is still launched the union’s Count Me In fight back. of repayment project engineers in Openreach they can take BT’s transformation forward from a belligerent new senior management the company on the key issues the CWU has open, and we want to resolve this dispute, but Since then, hostile salvoes from the commencing the first industrial action in that without taking the workforce with them they team which has now spent more than been highlighting in the union’s Count Me In this will require a huge shift in attitude from company have rained down, set against a division since 1987. (RPE dispute article P9) do so at their peril. a year pursuing a brutal and needlessly campaign of resistance. the company. At this point in time, that doesn’t steady stream of distressing forced exits. Last That, however, now looks certain to be just “Strike action is always the last resort, but confrontational agenda – despite incessant Lashing out against the race-to-the-bottom look as if it’s going to happen – and that’s why September, BT revealed its intention to slash the precursor of something much bigger. ultimately we have to challenge an arrogant union appeals for meaningful talks to avert a strategy being pursued by a management team we’re gearing up to fight.” maximum redundancy payments from June Speaking in a special Facebook Live session and dismissive attitude towards team member full-scale industrial relations meltdown – the that has lost the confidence and respect of its this year, with several divisions following that that announced the decision to hold a BT employees by senior managers who seem to first national industrial action ballot in BT workforce, deputy general secretary Andy Kerr Multiple provocations bombshell up with further compulsory job loss Group-wide industrial action ballot, CWU think they have a divine right to treat staff since 1987 will commence within weeks. told a specially convened BT branch forum The looming conflagration in BT has been announcements – some stemming directly general secretary Dave Ward insisted that appallingly and without any dignity or respect. Just as soon as final membership data that bosses only have themselves to blame for a long time coming. In fact, anger has been from cost-cutting decisions to offshore work bosses are reaping the consequences of their “That’s something that the CWU has checks have been concluded – allowing the the gathering tidal wave of workforce fury that mounting for almost 18 months at multiple to India and Hungary. own disgraceful behaviour. never accepted in BT before – and we have no CWU to be sure it can fend off inevitable legal is about to engulf them. different manifestations of an aggressive new Just before Christmas, members across “Even by the most basic standards of how intention of doing so now,” Andy concludes. challenges by the business over the validity “We didn’t pick this fight,” he stressed. management approach that is sweeping across BT, Openreach and EE delivered the clearest a big employer like BT should be treating its of the ballot – members across every part of “In fact, we’ve provided management with every line of business. possible warning that they had simply had workforce the company’s actions have been VOTE YES! BT, Openreach and EE where the CWU is every possible opportunity to step back from It was way back in October 2019 that BT enough. In what should have been a wake-up completely unacceptable,” he stressed. recognised for collective bargaining purposes the brink, consistently offering to work in Enterprise provided what was, in retrospect, call to BT’s top- brass, workers who had given “It’s quite clear management’s plans are ‘It’s quite clear management’s will be asked to confirm their willingness to partnership with the business to address the first foretaste of an all-out assault on their all to keep the company going and the all about compulsory redundancies, attacking plans are all about compulsory take industrial action. whatever challenges it faces – just as we’ve time-honoured employment practices based country connected throughout the pandemic terms and conditions and carrying out site redundancies and attacking Ballot papers will be accompanied with done on numerous occasions over the decades on fairness, negotiation and voluntarism in job voted by 97.9 per cent on a 74 per cent turnout closures without any consultation with the terms and conditions and that’s since privatisation. loss situations. union or the workforce. an unequivocal: ‘Vote YES’ recommendation for the principle of taking industrial action something the CWU from the union’s telecoms & financial services “But what we’re not prepared to accept, Following that division’s announcement of unless the company changed tack. “It doesn’t need to be this way, but executive. however, is seeing members’ cherished what quickly became the first-ever compulsory Sadly, however, that warning has gone BT needs to decide whether it wants can never stand for.’ The momentous decision to trigger the job security and terms and conditions redundancy exercise affecting team member unheeded by a senior management team that to change and transform with the Dave Ward ballot was taken with branches, executive being attacked on multiple fronts – with grades, Technology swiftly followed suit. instead seems intent on smashing 34 years of workforce, or against them. As things members and the union’s lead BT Group longstanding colleagues being picked off By July last year, with new attacks on job industrial peace based on partnership working with a recognised trade union as a matter of ‘We won’t accept our members’ job security and terms and conditions being attacked principle. on multiple fronts – that’s why we’re gearing up to fight.’ Andy Kerr

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Real opportunity for a more positive era in Setting out on the change Royal Mail Group – thanks to all of you pathway in Delivery

s I draft this article, I have a strong Just look at what is happening to CWU Delivery members will be involved in either sense of hope that from a Royal Mail members in BT having to take strike action for ‘structural’ or ‘table-top’ duty revisions over AGroup perspective we are entering a the first time in years and I would like to record the next few months, with a completion far more positive era. Having spent the last massive solidarity and respect from the postal few years fighting our employer for the right side of our union to those members. deadline of October 31st – which will trigger an to shape a mutual interest future and honour Look at what is happening to the NHS hour off the working week our agreements, we are indeed now back in workers in respect of a 1 per cent pay increase the room. If we had failed in our struggle, we after all they do and especially have done this would have only been talking about RMG in year. It is hard to imagine how a government a historical context, something that used could have been more insulting. round two-thirds of UK delivery not to restrict parcels to just a small proportion Shorter week, attendance to exist. offices will be in the latter category, of large specialist sites. We want Royal Mail to patterns, efficiency A and CWU outdoor secretary Mark deliver products across the day, with core USO As well as becoming shorter, the ‘new normal’ ‘Massive solidarity Baulch explains: “In these units, some 850 to deliveries in line with current arrangements, but working week – from when units introduce their 900, it’s essentially an under the roof, local with parcels and new products from 7am-7pm. revisions – is likely to look different from the and respect from the table-top exercise, with implementation of “We’ve made real progress on this and we’re ‘old normal’ in other ways too. postal side of this new products, dealing with parcels growth determined to push forward further. It’s vital “There are going to be opportunities for union to our fellow and a robust review process to ensure we’re in our view that this arrangement becomes an new, innovative shift and duty patterns, which staying on the right track. integral part of the whole delivery function, local areas will have the flexibility to introduce – CWU members in BT.’ “But in the other 400 or so, the full revision where there is the workload to do this.” provided certain criteria are met of course,” says process will apply, using the agreed revised Mark. agreement along with the geo-route outdoor Fighting back on letters “We need to be positioned to increase our So, against that backdrop in RMG we have planning system. We’re doing these on a ‘phased’ There is no denying that letter volumes have parcel-market share, succeed with our widening imposed ourselves in a very positive way and basis, with 30 offices already under way. Phase not reversed their long-established pattern range of new products, fight back on letters, following the overwhelming endorsement Two will be a further 70 structural unit revisions of gradual overall decline. But there is a joint meet increased customer demand for weekend of the Pathway to Change agreement on 3rd Making history is what we do best and it and then all of the remaining 300 offices will determination to fight back and seek ways to delivery, introduce technology and improve February 2021, we have now commenced our must be remembered that all of these things carry out their revisions in the third phase.” arrest and reverse this trend. operational efficiency, while reducing the next journey. we fought for, and combined, enable our core The ‘start-to-finish’ period of the structural “The big news here is Royal Mail’s new working week by one hour. objectives of employment, standard of living revisions is estimated at 14 weeks, which keeps economy letter product – Delivery To Specification “It’s a challenge to say the least – but we and retirement security and the protection of a the whole process well within the timescale. (DTS),” reveals Mark, who explains that this must succeed. great public service to be achieved. “We’re fully committed to on-time will be a “five-day, ‘warm-call’ product aimed “And our success will protect jobs and We did all this together, never forget our completion – but there’s a lot to do and several primarily at the business-to-consumer (B2C) continue delivering sector-leading pay, terms However, now we are talking about RMG solidarity is our strength. We stood shoulder aspects to this which will feature in all the market. and conditions.” influencing the future, still being relevant and to shoulder, demanded our voice be heard on a revisions to a greater or lesser extent,” Mark “DTS will be addressed mail – not remaining a great institution providing a vital vision of the future and the right to shape it and confirms. unaddressed D2D – and it will be public service and decent jobs for years to we won. Always keep your eye on the prize. It will be in the process of these revisions ‘warm-call’, so it will be held back come. Once again, thank you to our that the full significance of this national from delivery upstream through We are also seeing rays of sunshine coming representatives and members for your agreement – Pathway to Change – will become technology for up to four days through in respect of getting on top of this unbelievable support and service to the people apparent, with an unprecedented package of unless there is another ‘live awful pandemic that has turned our world of the UK. positive changes set to be deployed into Royal mail’ item for that same upside down for over a year. The vaccine Mail delivery over the weeks and months address,” he explains. programme is rolling out and there is a sense ahead, discussed and agreed between reps and Existing D2D traffic has that our much unappreciated freedoms of the managers and with the input and involvement fallen and efforts are under past may start to return. That should, however, of all. way to promote its regrowth, not distract us from our need to remain vigilant while Mark is also keen to and safe or to honour those who have lost their Driving parcel growth promote the traditional lives and remember those still very poorly or Dedicated parcel routes (DPRs), aimed at ‘personal letter’. fighting for their lives. capturing as much of this growing market “One of the less publicised Our hearts and thoughts go out to all those There is so much to be done, relationships Terry Pullinger as possible, will be jointly worked up across things that happened during people and their families. and trust must be rebuilt and our culture must an ever-growing number of delivery offices – Covid was people writing DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY Whilst we have fought to be respected on change for the better. There will be much alongside LAT development. letters to each other,” he tells (POSTAL) how we shape the future, we should equally change ahead as we create new jobs, move to a And those changes, building on top of the the Voice. “There were several never forget that negative influencing factors 35-hour week, embrace growth in our workload, success of recently introduced new products stories of parents, and sometimes – such as shareholder pressure, or changes to drive new products and services, and open up such as Consumer Collect and In-Flight, as well schools, encouraging children the board or to the managerial leadership – our services seven days a week, all in a mutual- as the increasing use of parcel post boxes, give to write letters to shielding can see current ideology change in a moment. interest culture. (P7,8 & 11) Royal Mail the best possible opportunity to grow grandparents or even teenagers The worst forms of employer ideology are We now have Royal Assent for the revenue and consolidate its position as the UK’s writing letters to boyfriends or all around us at the moment as companies/ legislation required for our new pension number one choice in this sector. girlfriends who they couldn’t see government try to slash terms and conditions scheme and whilst it will still be a while Mark says: “One of the union’s key aims during lockdown. and jobs. yet, we now know it will happen. during the Pathway to Change negotiations was “Could Royal Mail run a to ensure parcel delivery continued to take place campaign encouraging the ‘personal from as many delivery offices as possible – and letter’?” he asks. 6 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 7 INDUSTRIAL SUMMARY INDUSTRIAL SUMMARY

Getting organised for our ‘new Solidarity and respect for ‘brave and selfless’ normal’, volumes 40% up! Openreach RPE strikers embers in Processing and Davie tells the Voice: “At last month’s National Pipeline Review. This will establish Distribution have had to adjust to joint launch of this project, the talk was of the future pipeline and define the relationship Small in number, but resolute to the core, 170 repayment project engineers in Openreach Mthe huge growth in parcel volumes ensuring sufficient staffing – resource to meet between mail centres and the new parcel have emerged as hands-down winners in the battle for hearts and minds in a dispute that during the Covid -19 period. With much of the workload demand – while still recognising hubs. Discussions are at an early stage but the retail sector shut down during the long the current limitations that ongoing Covid already plans to accelerate the level of parcel has laid bare the contempt with which management treat workforce concerns... months of lockdown, online shopping has mitigations entail. The safety of our members automation across the mail centre network expanded massively. remains paramount.” are under consideration. In terms of a pre-2020 comparison, “While we understand all change can parcel volumes have risen around 40 per cent be difficult, real visible investment in the year-on-year, with some products increasing mail centres and RDCs should bring further by as much as 125 per cent. Letter decline, confidence that they remain a key element of which was significantly increased in the early the future pipeline” said Davie. part of Covid, has also stabilised and returned In terms of technology, in line with to around the historic levels. Pathway to Change, SISO (‘Scan In/Scan Out’, CWU assistant secretary Davie Robertson previously ‘AHDC’) is currently being installed notes: “Last summer we were wondering in several mail centres. Swindon, Birmingham, whether this was just a temporary trend, Manchester and South Midlands will join the but it’s becoming increasingly clear that initial ‘trial’ sites. this appears to be a more sustained shift in And on this, the assistant secretary customer habit and the realignment revisions comments: “It would be fair to say that there and network revisions agreed in Pathway to have been some teething problems with Change will be taking place on this basis. some of the initial plans, but we have been ultinational companies are not Arguably the most depressing thing about Meanwhile, support for the RPEs’ brave “Covid did not create these trends working through them to ensure that the final used to revolts by comparatively the RPE dispute is just how avoidable it could stand for an important point of principle but it has certainly accelerated the change deployment and use of the data adheres in full Mtiny sections of their workforces – have been – had management only listened continues to mushroom across not just the and the increased workload provides real to the very robust commitment secured in the but repayment project engineers (RPEs) in to the legitimate concerns of those who best CWU but the whole of the trade union and opportunities to secure and grow jobs in the national agreement. Openreach are providing BT Group bosses understand the intricacies of the role they wider labour movement. upstream areas. Against the commercial backdrop, and the with a timely reminder that employees conduct. “And analysing current high volumes, reduction of the working week on deployment, will only take so much disrespect before For eight months the highly skilled projected traffic forecasts and aligning the real focus in these revisions is reducing their patience finally snaps. engineers have been calmly arguing, both resource to workload is going to be a the level of agency resourse in workplaces. With industrial relations across BT at a individually and collectively, that placing significant job of work for CWU reps over the “Given this,” Davie continues: “We want to 34-year low – reeling from a belligerent new their role on the lowest rung of the coming period,” he adds. refocus activity on growing jobs and we do management approach that has transformed managerial ladder is a dangerous mismatch “Fortunately, we’ve got extremely not anticipate widespread VRs as part of these the behaviour of a company that has hitherto for their predominantly technical skill-set experienced and capable representatives revisions. been an exemplar of the benefits of a and responsibilities. In particular, they are who will be working through this and the “This may disappoint some members, ‘partnership approach’ with a recognised trade convinced that the performance-related department will support them throughout.” however the CWU’s priority must be to union – the CWU’s small but fiercely loyal incentivisation that comes with management maximise jobs for our members and create RPE membership in Openreach has emerged grades threatens the crucial bond of trust Processing opportunities for progression. as a standard bearer for a fightback that is fast between them and third-party customers Revision guidelines have been agreed for mail “Rather than overall internal headcount gathering steam. with whom they are supposed to act as honest centres, RDCs (regional distribution centres) reductions, what we hope to see is the By the end of the first week in March, the brokers – potentially resulting in untold and WBCs (walk bundling centres) and this potential for part-timers to increase their battle underway in Openreach had already reputational damage for Openreach. huge and complex task is now getting under hours, temporary contracts being converted to seen RPEs take five all-out days of strike Yet, instead of giving such principled and Speaking in the first of a number of way. substantive and a significant reduction in the action. Significantly, that is the first selfless objections the fair hearing they online ‘Solidarity Sessions’ that have seen use of agency labour,” he points out. industrial action to have taken place deserve, management have resolutely dug consciousness of the dispute explode across Pathway to Change also pointed to the opening anywhere in the whole of BT Group in their heels – even in the face of an 86 social media, TUC deputy general secretary up of the operation towards a 24/7 model, since a single strike day, involving per cent ‘Yes’ vote in a statutory ballot Paul Nowak observed: “It beggars belief that which is, Davie points out: “A reality in the Distribution contact centre staff, in November 1999 for industrial action on a 94 per cent right now – when your members are providing parcel industry” and will “mean a greater “We’ve also started work in Distribution. Data punctuated a previously unbroken turnout. a vital service to the public as key workers – demand for weekend working.” gathering has been completed on the National period of industrial peace dating CWU national officer for the company has forced you into this dispute But at the same time, he explains: “The Network Review and is now underway on the back to 1987. Openreach Davie Bowman by railroading through these changes.” realignment project will provide opportunities PAD revisions,” reports Davie. “Both revisions And barring any explains: “There couldn’t Praising RPEs’ “tremendous courage and for a move towards inventive duty patterns, will deliver the SWW or equivalent benefit for unforeseen change in have been a clearer message resolve in standing up to BT,” CWU general with fewer attendances or rotations which our Distribution members. management’s total that RPEs want this issue secretary Dave Ward added: “It’s time to think may make weekend working more attractive – The expected growth provides a real intransigence towards RPEs’ resolved in such a way that about what the RPE members are doing today all of which will be negotiated with this trade opportunity to reduce the reliance on agency concerns over the imposed meets their objective that and what the rest of the constituency may union.” resource and create real opportunities for regrading of their roles the role remains a team- need to do to turn management around.” progression to driving roles. As an initial step, – these members stood member grade, not just for Deputy general secretary Andy Kerr Future pipeline and technology discussions are at an advanced stage on a set to take a further five them but for those who concludes: “I hope other parts of BT will see To deal effectively with the growth in parcel major LGV recruitment drive, which is, Davie consecutive weekday aspire to the role in the sense in the next few weeks or so, because if traffic and build on the Pathway to Change says: “Great news for our members in other strike days, with more future.” they don’t it won’t be 170 RPE members who commitments to the existing mail centre/RDC parts of the business looking for opportunities expected to follow. will be out striking – it will be 45,000!” network, discussions have commenced on the to progress.”

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Post Office pay deal approved, Fleet and Engineering – challenges and opportunities fight for Crown network continues ‘Positive and constructive progress’ in Royal Mail Engineering and Royal Mail Fleet will mean our engineers and technicians can look forward to achieving the next arly feedback from members The past year also saw a couple phase of their shorter working week ‘by October if not before,’ reports CWU acting and reps indicates our Post of notable successes in the ongoing assistant secretary Carl Maden. E Office members are extremely campaign against the company’s likely to approve a pay deal combining ‘franchising’ programme, with Crown an across-the-board pay rise with Offices reprieved in the North West and fter our national Pathway to “This is an opportunity we’ve all got to “These are important aspects of what’s variable bonus consolidations and in London. Change – Guiding Principles grasp – and alongside the undoubted benefits going to be happening within Fleet,” Carl lifting guaranteed wages by between “Great Portland Street Post Office ‘A agreement was approved early of a good pay rise, job security, and a shorter points out, adding: “We want to grow 4.7 and 7.1 per cent. was saved from the axe, as was Stockport, in the New Year, we got to work straight working week, we also need to approach and by bringing work ‘in-house’. We want to “I was not surprised, but still very which was great news for members and away with the Fleet and Engineering deal with issues around new duty patterns, maximise direct employment and minimise pleased, by the positive reaction from customers alike – and a testament to the management teams to put in place agreed working efficiently and covering 24/7 third-party resource – so a flexible approach members,” Andy Furey told Voice. “It immense importance of determined, revision criteria – or ‘triggers’ – for the operations for the future. on our part regarding new attendance was an innovative pay agreement reached long-term campaigning and lobbying one-hour reduction. “Working Together, we’re going to get patterns and extra weekend overtime will in negotiations with Post Office senior work by this union,” Andy notes. And just a few weeks ago, Carl continues: there,” he vows. support our ambition.” management that brought several different “However, we still have a real fight “The company’s chief engineer and fleet Outside of the immediate shorter working bonus schemes into pensionable pay and on our hands to save the Crown at director James Baker and I were able to week and revision activity, Fleet is also transformed a modest settlement into a South Woodford, although support for publish joint statements launching this faced with longer-term challenges around much better overall package.” our resistance has been growing and process to our territorial, cluster and local recruitment, training and the move away from This was the overdue 2020 pay includes two local MPs, councillors representatives.” petrol and diesel engine vehicles. settlement and applies from April 1st last and local businesses. Revision activity will be negotiated year. The 2021 wage round immediately “We’re hopeful that we can make locally with support from the appropriate Engineering becomes effective – negotiations that it a ‘hat-trick’ of successes, but the Engineering and Fleet reps if necessary, to Royal Mail Engineering – which will also the union is keen to, in Andy’s words, struggle goes on,” he vows. tackle hold-ups, obstacles or failures to agree. include Parcelforce and HWDC/International © Matthew Stone / Shutterstock.com “crack on with as soon as possible.” October 31st 2021 is the deadline for Engineering from April – is shaping up for completion – however, if local agreements the task of supporting Royal Mail’s pipeline are agreed and signed off earlier than this, automation expansion, which will see new then the hour off and the new working parcel sorting machines (PSMs) in mail Sir Wyn Williams’s Horizon Inquiry gathers pace arrangements can be deployed straightaway. centres. “It is great to get this under way,” Carl “It’s our Engineering members who ostmasters’ fight for justice continues, with senior CWU Postmaster Branch secretary Mark Baker, who is a serving says. “However, let’s not underestimate the repair and maintain these machines – and retired judge Sir Wyn Williams and his team working postmaster himself, says: “It’s imperative that justice is done – for challenges here either, or the absolute need Fleet when Royal Mail moves to 24/7 operation, the P hard to gather evidence in the first stage of his Inquiry those who have been appallingly treated and also to ensure that our for all of us to work together.” In Fleet, there is a firm commitment to increased machine use has to be supported,” into the Horizon scandal. members are treated fairly in the future – and we’re doing everything He explains these “challenges” – which bringing as much outsourced work back ‘in- explains Carl. “We’ve been in close liaison with Sir Wyn and his office, as well as we can to make sure that happens.” are in essence the same in both Fleet and house’ as possible, which Carl describes as As Engineering is so closely aligned with our own postmaster members, to ensure their voices are heard Engineering – as “achieving this working week “good news as we want to be doing our own with the company’s mail centre operation, loud and clear,” Andy tells Voice. • Please see here for updates: https://www.cwu.org/campaign/cwu- reduction while maintaining and improving work,” while the hour off the working week revisions will, to a certain extent, ‘dovetail’ The CWU fought for several years – alongside others fighting for supporting-justice-for-postmasters quality of service to Royal Mail operations, will be achieved through improved technology with the outcomes at those units – although postmaster justice – to get a full inquiry into this whole affair, which whilst also being able to increase operational and moving to a paperless our RME reps will of course work jointly with was one of the biggest scandals of recent times. capacity and quality of service in line with operation. RME managers to agree function-specific Royal Mail’s growth.” There are plans to plans. In a lively online briefing to Engineering increase vehicle usage by “While most of our members are and Fleet reps and managers last month, Carl Royal Mail as it grows ‘attached’ to particular mail centres, Pathway progress in Royal Mail CE, Finance & HR and James Baker emphasised each of these capacity and widens we do also have a number of engineers objectives – stressing their equal importance its customer product who look after several smaller n contrast with the vast majority of Although the total numbers within “There’s potential for nine-day fortnights going forward. offering, which may Royal Mail sites – such as compact their Royal Mail colleagues, members these three groups are relatively small – and four-day working weeks – although fewer “This was an important event, with what require extra shifts, sequence sorter (CSS) offices I working in Admin and Customer approximately 1,500 working in Admin, some attendances will naturally come with extended I felt was a determined and optimistic mood and the agreement within the mail centre catchment Experience (CE) have mostly been 800 in CE, circa 600 MDECs members – there working days. and it was great to have around 140 or so states that, should area,” Carl explains “and so working from home during the Covid are multiple different senior management “Management insist – and rightly so – that people on the session,” says Carl. additional weekend the revision discussions will pandemic. teams at the top that the union engages with they need to ‘plug the gaps’ that the hour off “We want to raise the profile of Fleet and or late working be of course ensure their best “In these functions, around two-thirds due to the diversity of the roles. will create and that customer needs must be Engineering to receive proper recognition required, voluntary interests as well.” of staff are working at home – although the This has meant a series of separate met.” Andy points out: “This is particularly within Royal Mail Group for the vital service ‘overtime’ solutions will be choice to remain in the office has been offered negotiations for Andy and his team, as they critical if our functions are going to play our we provide – and it’s further good news that applied in the first instance where possible,” explains CWU assistant have been getting down to business agreeing part in supporting the growth of the business our Parcelforce and HWDC/International – before agency resource is secretary Andy Furey, national officer for the relevant ‘triggers’ for the Pathway to in terms of new products and services. engineering colleagues are coming under considered. members in these parts of Royal Mail, as well Change hour off the working week. “So, for example, five eight-hour daily an integrated Royal Mail Engineering as workers in Manual Data Entry Centres “We’re making meaningful progress on shifts may convert to four eight-and-a-half- management structure from April. (MDECs). a number of fronts,” he reports, explaining hour days.” “Some members in MDECs have that “flexibility in ways of working and multi- In conclusion, Andy describes the continued to attend work, although many have skilling” is going to be a major factor in each situation in the various functions as “moving been able to work from home where there is a of these functions. closer to agreement – certainly we are on need to do so.” track for our October deadline – and a positive way ahead across the board.” 10 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 11 GETTING INVOLVED IN THE CWU GETTING INVOLVED IN THE CWU

Voice spoke recently with several CWU reps and officers from different parts of the union, different businesses and various parts of the country, ‘YOU ARE THE UNION asking why they got involved in the CWU and for their message to potential activists of the future… – WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?’

ack in the early 1990s, telecoms clerical worker Karen Mahmood Ali was an activist before he came to live in the UK – Denise O’Neill is a BT/Openreach engineer, providing fibre-to-the- Ishak Ali, a central London BT/Openreach engineer, represents Rose was “fed up with how they were treating us after having been involved in the pro-democracy movement and protests in cabinet (FTTC) connections in Northern Ireland. members in Capital Branch and was elected as their Young Workers Bwe got redeployed from Cardiff to Newport. Pakistan in the 1980s. Originally working for the company in a clerical role, Denise officer some 18 months ago. “So, I went and banged on the door of the union office demanding “An elected government had been overthrown in a military coup, our redeployed into an engineering position 10 years ago and says that her “I spoke up often at our team meetings on various issues, to know what the union was going to do about it,” recalls Karen, who is Prime Minister had been hanged, and students like me were marching in male colleagues had been “totally supportive” in her retraining efforts. particularly safety and near misses. And after one of those meetings a now of course our CWU president. the streets and demanding a return to democracy,” he recalls. “I already knew quite of few of our engineers from my previous job senior branch rep, Paggett Lewis, took me to one side and asked me to “An older man opened the door and calmly replied: ‘Well my lovely, “Crackdowns on protesters, arrests and heavy-handedness of police and all I got from them was encouragement – it’s been the same within stand for the vacant youth rep position,” says Ishak. you are the union – what are you going to do about it’? were regular occurrences and I was arrested more than once although I the union for me too. “So, I agreed to stand, got elected and now I’m learning more and “And it was that moment when I made my mind up to become a was never actually charged with anything.” “I reckon there are probably around a dozen female Openreach more about the CWU – the elections, the motions, going to the AGM – rep.” These experiences had already politicised Mahmood when, as a engineers over here,” she says, adding: “I think about four working and I’m starting to get to grips with it all. She tells The Voice: “That man was our South Wales Branch 20-year-old, he moved to the UK in 1990. on exchange jumpering, one or two are data engineers and then a few “Recently I’ve been very involved with the CMI campaign, secretary Ken Lovell, who was always very kind and encouraging to me “I strongly believed in the principles of social-democracy and when ladies in the field.” speaking to members about the issues involved in this dispute and and to others. He sadly passed away last year.” I started work for Royal Mail, becoming a union activist was something As South Section Chair of Northern Ireland Telecoms Branch, how important it all is to everyone,” he continues, adding that, if the Karen was active in the CWU’s first equality structures, which, I strongly wanted to do,” he says, adding: “I appreciated the democracy Denise has one day per week for CWU duties and the rest of the week company refuses to reach a fair agreement with the union, he expects she says: “At the time were a huge step forward, but these structures and freedoms here and I wanted to be actively involved in the trade in her Openreach job. members would strongly back a call for action if called upon. gradually began to ‘box in’ people a bit. union and labour movement. “I was elected as South Section Chair four years ago and I put my “As the weeks go by, we’re just seeing more and more redundancies. “The structure created a mindset of ‘she’s an active woman, put her “I was a unit rep, a shift rep and an area processing rep before being name forward because of how much the CWU had assisted me when I’d BT is not listening to us at all, so something has to be done to make on the women’s committee’, or ‘here’s a keen black member – ideal for our elected onto the executive and I’d say this union’s done more for me needed it, when I’d gone to the union with my own difficulties. things change for the better – and for a better future. race committee’. than anyone else in terms of education and development,” he says, and “I wanted to get involved with the CWU so I could help other people in “Nobody is safe if the management carry on in this way,” he warns, “It was time for a rethink – for a fresh approach,” Karen explains, adds: “This union’s for everyone.” return,” she tells The Voice. adding: “We’ve all got to stand together.” adding: “Mainstreaming and positive action are the way forward – more Mahmood describes the struggle to encourage more members from “Erin Massey, our branch secretary, was my mentor and I still go  effective for proportionality and for encouraging new activists and reps a BAME background to become reps as a “chicken and egg situation” to her if there’s a CWU issue that maybe I haven’t encountered before. “My view is, if there’s anything we think the to come forward. between opportunities provided and people coming forward and he She’s always massively supportive.” union needs to do better, or any issues we want describes the CWU as “very welcoming and embracing.” “Personally, I find being a rep very rewarding. I’d really like more to push forward, getting involved in the union is “And what an important time it is to become people to be reps – there’s always support and back up from this union the way to do it.” active – when we’re hard in struggle with an “We need BAME members to come forward – if and you can really make a difference. aggressive BT management.” they come forward, they will get elected as our membership isn’t biased when voting.” “We’ll certainly welcome new activists coming forward to be reps in Northern Ireland.”

KAREN ROSE MAHMOOD ALI DENISE O’NEILL ISHAK ALI

12 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 13 GETTING INVOLVED IN THE CWU UNLOCK CWU GET INVOLVED – THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE TO DO To get more involved with your union, why not take a look at Unlock, a new online tool developed by your CWU equality, education & development and communications teams to further improve our service to you… he racist graffiti on the toilet walls was horrendous,” Royal Mail delivery worker Luke Elgar first became involved as a recalls Ian Taylor when asked about his first young member representative for Essex Amal Branch, and tells us that ‘Timpressions when he began work at Manchester Mail his father, Keith, was his first inspiration. new online facility available to Centre back in the 1980s. “Dad was unit rep at Leigh-on-sea Delivery Office where I started all members – unlock.cwu.org – is UNLOCK - HERE ARE A FEW TIPS: “Back then, you could count the number of black members of staff work back when I was 18,” he recalls, adding: “But even before then, I A a way for you to find your route on one hand and there were very few women too,” he continues, “and often went on marches and rallies with him and his union friends. into CWU activism and leadership, as it was about then that the company was just beginning to start on the “And a particular event that really got me interested was hearing well as an important means of advancing Come to meetings… Your comms team is not standing still road to diversity – and the union was just getting to grips with the issue Jeremy Corbyn speaking in Southend during the 2017 election our proportionality strategy. Attending your workplace and branch though, they’re currently building the CWU’s as well.” campaign – for me, he said so many things I wanted to see happen.” Take a look and you can find the area of meetings can be a great way to dive in and Instagram profile, they’re also keen on Ian, a long-serving representative for the North Wales & North The Leigh office merged into Southend MPU several years ago and activity most suited to your own interests – find out what’s going on. Ask your CWU TikTok and, of course, the new CWU App West Division, first became a rep in 1992, after becoming more and is now one of the larger delivery units in the company, Luke explains, and be directed quickly to the assistance you representative or branch when your next launches this month. So, if you’re not already more determined to push for change at the Manchester unit. and says that he has recently deputised as a substitute rep for delivery need to get to the next stage of your CWU meeting is. doing so, then please follow the union on all “There was an almost militarised attitude from management members. journey. social media platforms. and I found myself objecting increasingly to their treatment of the “The Young Worker role is a great way to learn and a great place to Kate Hudson, the union’s head of equality, • For branch contact details, go to workforce, so I stood for election as late shift rep and I’ve been active start – in a way, it’s a bit like a ‘CWU apprenticeship’ in some respects education & development, tells The Voice: cwu.org/contact-us • If this area particularly interests you, why within the union ever since.” and I’d strongly recommend this role to a new member who wants to “We’ll also be filtering this down through all of not contact your branch and offer your help Ian was instrumental in the setting up of the first CWU Black become involved. the union’s equality strands – Women, BAME, Help out at your branch… with local social media content Workers Conference back in 1996 and remembers the arguments “When I first took on that position, I worried I was going to ‘fall’, LGBT+, Disability – so that all members are Many branches organise and run local against these early equality initiatives. but there’s always someone to help and advise you – an experienced encouraged and inspired. campaigns in the workplace and the Sign up for equality events, “People who didn’t like it asked things like: ‘We already have a rep who’s faced the same issue you might be needing advice about for “We want to build a new community of community. These includes raising donations workshops and equality news… national conference, what’s the need for a black workers’ conference’? and example. activists and future leaders. When people for foodbanks, period poverty and school We’re building an inclusive union that ‘We don’t have a white workers’ conference, so why a black one’? “Plus of course, the CWU provides brilliant training courses,” he come onto unlock.cwu.org, they’ll be able to holiday hunger programmes helping needy supports and represents all our members. We “But it was necessary at that time,” he insists. “It brought black points out. input their email addresses and get access to and vulnerable people. demand full equality, cherish diversity and members forward and it brought us forward as a union.” a regular Unlock newsletter, which will keep encourage openness in all our activities. So, However, circumstances change, workplace culture and the “We absolutely need new people to come everyone up to date with new initiatives and • There’s something for everyone to get whatever events and activities that interest composition of the membership has changed – and with the redesign forward.” ideas to get them involved.” involved in. or motivate you, we’re sure you’ll find them strategy, we are taking equality into everything our union does. She continues: “We’ll feature articles about in the CWU. “What we really need is new people coming forward to drive that how members have become more involved, Know your branch representatives… change on. And I’d urge members to contact their branches and be which issues really motivate them, and news Every CWU branch has representatives in • Sign up for events using the sign-up toolbar part of that. of their activities. And Unlock will also provide different roles and functions. These reps at the top of the Unlock homepage. up-to-date information about CWU education cover workplace (IR) issues, political work, “There’s something for everyone to do!” and training courses available.” equality matters, as well as education and Become a rep… So, if you haven’t already, please take training. Branches and regions also have reps CWU reps are the union’s backbone and a look at unlock.cwu.org – it’s the key to dedicated to representing younger members becoming one is a great responsibility. But unlocking all the wonderful energy and talent and retired section. also, a very rewarding way to stick up for you of this great union! and your work colleagues. • It’s good to know the names, roles and contact details of your branch reps and you There are no specific entry requirements to can find this out by contacting your branch. becoming a rep and there are many different positions to stand for. But what you do need CWU online, digital, social… is a passion for equality, justice and fairness – The CWU is well-known for our strong and the CWU will support you to do the rest. national, regional and local presence on Facebook and Twitter, for the various videos •  Check out the ‘How to become a rep’ advice and podcasts we create and send out and the section. Go to unlock.cwu.org and follow the popular ‘storms’ we create together during suggested ‘Steps to Success’. our campaigns.

IAN TAYLOR LUKE ELGAR

14 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 15 SPECIAL CONFERENCE PREVIEW SPECIAL CONFERENCE PREVIEW

FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY

– BRINGING IT INTO THE MAINSTREAM was to, in his words, ‘take an honest, detailed and robust look at where we are, nationwide, on equality, diversity and ‘The equality and Voice caught up with our general secretary Dave Ward proportionality’. proportionality struggle and the union’s head of equality, education & development And, although the Redesign changes have made a measurably positive is an ongoing process, Kate Hudson to look ahead at next month’s special difference at regional level – and not a one-off event.’ have started to make a difference conference and their aspirations for the event… at NEC level – research and data- gathering carried out by Kate and her ext month, delegates from Kate adds that, “just over 20 per that, in part, led to the ground- departmental team showed that we still So, where does the problem least two women and a minimum of one all across the UK will head cent of our members are women and breaking Redesign conference, an need to go further. lie? What is the reason for the BAME member from each section.” N to… no not Bournemouth, just under 9 per cent of CWU members important part of which was dedicated “The bare facts are that the lack of progress on equality and The NEC changes will come into but to their laptops and computer are BAME – and if we take an honest to discussing and approving several nationwide proportion of female proportionality within some parts of immediate effect if Special Conference screens… for a Virtual Special look at our structures across the significant changes in how we advance branch officers, delegates and industrial the union? Voice asks. approves them, while the proposed Rules Revision Conference, which country as a whole, that is not what we our equality agenda. representatives and conference “This is the frustrating thing for all branch reforms come with an is focussed specifically on taking look like at this time.” Kate tells the Voice that “I was delegates is nowhere near 20 per cent – of us – and this is what we’ve discussed implementation timetable of up concrete steps forward on equality Looking back over our union’s a regional secretary back then and and the proportion of BAME members and debated throughout the union to two years and proportionality within the recent history, our women and BAME what really stood out for me in terms in those categories is well below 9 per many times,” admits Dave. Kate explains: “There are different CWU. members fought hard to achieve steps of the Redesign reforms was how cent too,” she reports. “We eventually came to a consensus demographics in each branch and forward in CWU representation and, much they strengthened the equality “So, across our whole structures that, if reforming our structures worked we need to be cognisant of that. So, as a result of these efforts, separate agenda at a regional level – as well as we’re not proportional – and in these at regional level, then we need to take although we’re recommending at least equality-strand conferences – along the important steps forward in terms areas in particular we need to go similar reforms to the other parts one woman must be among the four with separate equality-strand advisory of proportionality and diversity at further.” of our union. That means taking our senior branch officer positions and 25 committees – were created a couple of national executive council level.” Both our general secretary and our NEC reform further and working with per cent and 10 per cent targets for decades ago. head of equality are at pains to stress our branches to improve equality and branch committees and delegations – “These represented a significant that none of our members, activists, proportionality there. we’re also saying this comes with a ‘by step forward at the time and the ‘If the special reps or branch officers are to blame “That’s why we’re holding this 2023 and with help and assistance’ caveat. people at the forefront of that were conference approves here. “This is very definitely NOT special conference – and that’s the “The other key change we’re asking pioneers in terms of the equality and these reforms – we anybody’s ‘fault’,” insists Dave, “but as reason for the specific changes the NEC branches to implement is for no one proportionality struggle”, says Dave. an organisation we need to do more if is proposing.” person to hold more than one of the “And when I first became general will be taking a huge we are going to be more representative On the NEC, the number of four senior branch officer posts – Speaking with Dave Ward and Kate secretary in 2015, I made this clear. step forward.’ of our members and to make us better equality-strand representatives is secretary, chair, treasurer, and deputy Hudson recently, Voice asked them “But by that time, many of those placed to grow in the future.” proposed to be doubled, from four to secretary.” why the union is holding this special same activists who led that struggle Dave also stressed the positive eight. This will allow at least one person Dave says: “We believe these are event and to explain its importance to were starting to argue that it was Our general secretary agrees that engagement and work we have seen on elected by each constituency of the positive proposals and we very much the union and our members. And in time to further develop our equality those changes were “another step in equality issues in recent years. “Look union to specifically represent women, hope they’ll be approved at Special his initial reply, our general secretary agenda – that we needed to bring the right direction,” but adds: “Just at the fantastic turnout for the big BAME and LGBT+ members and Conference. was very open, stating the key reason the concepts of equality, diversity like the changes that were made anti-racism demonstration in central members with a disability. “But most of all – and I’m sure I plainly and robustly. and proportionality right into the 20 years ago, the changes we made London in 2019 for example – we had “This is a huge step – doubling also speak for Kate and all our officers “The simple fact we can’t ignore is mainstream of our union and that three years ago are not the ‘finished the biggest union contingent on the equality representation on the NEC in and our NEC here – we’re really looking that our women and black and minority those separate advisory committees product’ either – the equality and march by far.” once go,” points out Kate. “A real step forward to catching up with people at ethnic (BAME) members are under- and conference were actually starting proportionality struggle is an ongoing And in terms of supporting women’s forward.” conference and hearing and taking part represented within the CWU at almost to hold that process back.” process, not a one-off event.” rights, Kate cites the “massively Dave adds: “We also want in the cut and thrust of debate. every single level,” says Dave, “and we It was this developing debate On her appointment as our union’s successful campaign against period to guarantee female and BAME cannot continue to claim that we’re an within the union, led by our women new head of equality – newly merged poverty – which has led to some representation on the NEC from the “Roll on April 24th.” organisation committed to equality if and BAME members and given with the education department – one serious successes in terms of workplace industrial constituencies. We’re asking we allow this to remain the case.” free reign by the general secretary, of the first tasks Kate was set by Dave provision and even changes to the law.” for a new rule that there must be at

VIRTUAL SPECIAL RULES REVISION CONFERENCE SATURDAY APRIL 24TH – SEE YOU ONLINE!

16 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 17 WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING WORKPLACE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING

IN OUR LAST EDITION THREE CWU REPS WHO HAD SUFFERED THE COVID CARING FOR OUR MEMBERS VIRUS SPOKE TO US ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH THE ILLNESS AND HOW IT IMPACTED THEM. HERE, SOME REPS TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH LISTENING AND BEING AWARE AND WELLBEING ON THE FRONTLINE DURING THIS CRISIS PERIOD…

erry Haines, Pagget Lewis and Sarah Pagget trained to be an MH first-aider Apprehensions about entering domestic Having suffered with bouts of depression It was the first crucial step of asking for White are union representatives with after going through some extremely difficult premises is the major concern, he tells us, as and extreme anxiety “from time to time” since help that was the most important point. And K childhood, Sarah recognises the signs of its with the solid support of her partner, Danny a variety of different experiences over personal unhappiness after the loss of well as working at cabs in crowded streets. the past year – taking training in mental someone close “hit me very hard. “Yes, there are operational protocols, yes approach – but until last year, she had been – who she describes as “brilliant” – and her health first aid, using that union learning “I needed to take some time out. I took these protocols are robust and the union, relatively free from it “for about six years.” circle of close friends, Sarah took that step. to help colleagues through hard times, some leave and some time away,” he recalls, particularly our health and safety department, She contacted the CWU’s mental health suffering from their own difficulties, but adding that his distress affected him physically and the company are vigilant in keeping these helpline, sought support from occupational those experiences then sparking a passion and that he was given medication as well as procedures – I want to make that clear and health – “the helpline was really good and to assist others. counselling. this is certainly not a ‘blame-game’ here at I got four sessions talking with someone Kerry, delivery office rep at Horsham in “I’d say it was partly my own all,” he insists. through OCH” – and Sarah also contacted Sussex, has also taken on a role as mental experiences – in terms of what I felt had “But the fact is that the constant worry is wellbeing charity MIND, who provided further health ambassador – helping her colleagues helped me for example – and partly how still there. I’ve had engineers on the phone to support. through what has been an exceptionally someone I knew personally was treated when me in a lot of stress about this – worrying that “All this put me on the road to recovery difficult year. he suffered mental health problems and was domestic customers might not have told them and I got back to work again,” she continues, “I took the training course about a year not treated well in my opinion, which made up the truth, or that someone’s come too close adding that this was not a magic sudden ‘cure’, ago and it’s definitely something that’s my mind to do this training.” behind them at a cab for example.” but more of a gradual process of learning and occurred more since lockdown first started,” During the Covid crisis, Pagget’s home “I listen, sometimes they break down and recognising. she tells Voice. area of east London has been one of the worst- cry and I keep listening, calmly reminding “I feel OK talking about my experience “Like everyone else, we’ve been under ' WE WOMEN REPS ARE NOT JUST hit parts of the country he says, explaining: about the protocols and trying to reassure – – I think it helps me and maybe it might increased work pressures and had to adapt to “I’m in Newham and here and in nearby areas obviously as their IR rep, I’ll take up an issue encourage other people to ask for help when new safe ways of working – so all the worries HERE FOR OUR WOMEN, WE’RE like Hackney and Walthamstow we’ve had formally if it’s necessary, but often people just they need it as well. of becoming ill on top of massively increased some of the biggest instances of Covid – and want and need someone to hear them.” “And I also want to learn more – perhaps volumes. HERE TO SUPPORT OUR MEN TO.' there’s no doubt this has massively increased “In my MH ambassador role, I don’t see ' train as a mental health first-aider for “And we also sadly lost two members in levels of stress and mental health issues myself as the person offering a ‘solution’ I FEEL OK TALKING ABOUT MY example.” 2020 – they’d both worked here a long time among the Openreach members I represent.” or a ‘cure’, but as a trusted person who will EXPERIENCE. IT HELPS ME AND IT Steve Jones, who chairs the CWU’s and their passing was a huge blow to us all.” “Some of our members are very shy – listen and if necessary, to direct someone to national mental health project team, tells Kerry asked for, and got, a counsellor to some will come and speak to me privately or professional help and how and where they can MIGHT ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO ASK The Voice: “The CWU is doing tireless work come in so that people could talk about the sometimes someone else will speak to me for access it.” FOR HELP WHEN THEY NEED IT ' to support our members - we have trained two workmates they had lost and share some them,” she explains. He continues: “The person suffering might . around 700 reps and are busy building support of their thoughts and feelings. Like many Royal Mail units, Horsham has only trust one person. Sometimes that person networks in every region. Our mental health And for one of the funerals, the office seen an increase in the proportion of female is me – sometimes it’s someone else. People However, on top of the trials and leads are doing a fantastic job in increasingly arranged a ‘van salute’, in which Royal Mail staff over recent years and Kerry estimates need to train and learn and understand.” tribulations of 2020 – Covid of course, the difficult circumstances and I thank each and vans led the procession through the town that women are “around a third” of the “There’s a hell of a lot of pressure on reps stresses of ensuring work protocols are every one of them. If any member is having behind the hearse. workforce here. – ultimately we’re doing two jobs,” says observed, the hugely increased workloads – difficulty, please reach out, we are here “It was a really moving occasion, showing “It’s good that we have more female reps Dartford MPU rep Sarah White. her and her family also “had a run of really bad to help.” our respects and also I think that that, plus now as well to reflect that – but not only to “A lot of reps don’t want to say it, but we news.” having the counsellor, helped members come represent the women, I find sometimes men need more support.” A loss, then a close relative seriously to terms with things to a certain extent,” are more willing to ‘open up’ to a woman Sarah has first-hand experience of injured in an assault, added to a growing Kerry says. rep particularly if it’s an emotional issue for how stresses and pressures can come to a frustration at lack of progress in workplace At the office, one of the things Kerry did example, where they might not feel able to head, having had to take some time off with problems, leading to a feeling of being as mental health ambassador was to get one show that side to another man. depression a few months ago. bullied by management – all of this, on top of the unused small office rooms for use as “We women reps are not just here for our “I’ve been the rep here three years and I of ‘2020’, simply overcame her. a ‘wellbeing room’, providing a calm space women, we’re here to support our men too.” love doing it, but it can get you down as well,” “What happens to me is if I do get where people can go and sit down and reflect Capital Branch rep Pagget Lewis also finds ' I LISTEN. SOMETIMES THEY she says, adding that her passion for helping overwhelmed like that, and my depression in a peaceful atmosphere – or talk if they that men can often be unwilling to talk about colleagues can sometimes result in “a habit of comes, I draw into myself, shut myself off want to. emotional anxieties, depression and sadness. BREAK DOWN AND CRY AND I KEEP taking problems and worries home with me.” from other people. I kind of curl up into a ball. “It’s the ‘toughness’ thing – the ‘man-up’ LISTENING.' I want to cry and I want to sleep,” Sarah says. attitude,” he tells Voice – and it’s something we need to get past.”

18 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 19 CWU IN POLITICS CWU IN POLITICS

I AM WHAT I AM LET’S MAKE IT A BECAUSE OF THE GREEN ‘NEW NORMAL’ ‘Beyond Covid, there needs to be a redesigning of the CWU – PROUD economy,’ says our senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns, as he introduces us to the Labour for a TO BE A MEMBER Green New Deal campaign group… When the voters of Birmingham Hall Green elected Royal Mail engineer Tahir Ali to Parliament in 2019, his father told him that he was ‘the proudest man on Earth.’ “Talk of rebuilding and recovery needs “Labour for a Green New Deal is a to imagine a system that ensures the campaign group that has emerged from this ahir was the first person from his to stand up to them – and it was this, this Tahir places himself, politically, on the urgent issue regarding the environment mindset and it’s really good that one of its family to become involved in politics attitude I suppose, which made me want to socialist wing of the Labour Party and has is at the forefront of this rebuilding,” he co-founders, Chris Saltmarsh, has agreed to Tand the whole family shared his be a union rep and then led me into becoming allied himself in Parliament with the Socialist continues. write a column for this edition setting out

father’s pride, but Tahir tells The Voice interested in politics.” Campaign Group (SCG) of MPs. “A number of people from within the the group’s agenda and perspectives. )

that, for him personally, “it didn’t really Much of Tahir’s early political inspiration “At the moment, we in the SCG are CWU have long advocated for greater trade S “This is an interesting and thought- sink in at first. came from the union and from hearing, and pushing hard for a ‘zero-Covid’ strategy, union involvement and support for the fight G provoking article that we hope that

D

“It was such an awful result nationally then taking part in, the political discussions which means not only pressing to complete against climate change and for a transition S Voice readers will engage with and ( that it was hard to feel positive initially. and debates among his fellow activists. the vaccination programme as swiftly as away from a carbon-based economy – but s most importantly, take this vital debate n r “But, when I actually got there, and went “I was asked if I wanted to stand for possible, but also identifying and taking the crucially, a transition which is planned, just a further forward within our union and our e through the inductions, then took the Oath, election as political officer for our branch,” he steps to eliminate the virus altogether,” he and which prioritises high-skilled and high- K movement.” y and then the first time I picked up my own says, and adds that it was while serving in this explains. paid unionised jobs. n To mail – I think it was then that I realised to branch role that the opportunity arose in 1999 “But what our party needs to be doing as myself: ‘Yes, I am an MP, one of 650 in the for Tahir to stand for election to Birmingham well is setting out a strong programme for whole country’ and the importance of what City Council, representing Nechells Ward. repairing the damage done to our economy. I’ve been given the opportunity to do.” It’s got to be a national plan for jobs, s the government continues to offer That is why we founded Labour for a investment in rolling out high-speed fibre Like all the other new MPs, for manufacturing, for training our piecemeal solutions to the climate Green New Deal in 2019, and pushed Labour to nationwide could create 40,000 jobs, Tahir only had a couple of months young people in skills for both now A crisis, it is vital for workers to make adopt an historic programme of mass green and could – along with a raft of other to get used to the Westminster and the future.” their voices heard. Faced with the Tories’ investment in that year’s election manifesto. infrastructure investment – be paired with routine before the Covid-19 crisis When asked what particular piece half-baked proposals, we must argue Now we are building a strong left coalition a Just Transition Commission, so that the forced the majority of Members into of legislation he would most like to for a radical programme of government to grow the movement fighting for that transition to zero carbon will protect and home-working, but he did manage to enact, the Member for Birmingham investment. One that will deliver the rapid Green New Deal. As the pandemic exposes the create good jobs. make his first (‘Maiden’) speech to Hall Green immediately answers: “I de-carbonisation that we need to stop inequality that continues to wreck the planet And when it comes to Royal Mail, this Parliament last February. want to repeal all the anti-union laws the planet burning – and which, at the and funnel profits to the few at the expense of could involve expanding the role of the postal “I spoke about the situation in and give workers back their full rights. same time, will create a million unionised the many, it is urgent that we rebuild in a way worker to offer new services, as a way of Kashmir, which is a subject very close “I am what I am because of the green jobs, tax the big polluters, and put that puts social and climate justice first. meeting changing local needs. On the one to my heart, as it’s where I was born. CWU, and I’ll always be proud to be a democratic, public ownership at the core That means building power in local hand, this would be a way to protect good And, during National Apprentice CWU member,” he continues. of our new green economy. communities, trade unions and within the unionised jobs. And on the other, it could be Week, I expressed the need to value “Together with the CWU and Labour Party, to make the case that climate another plank of a greener, fairer future to and to expand skills training for young our other trade unionists, we’re all change is a class issue. We believe that meet the basic needs of everyone in society. people coming into the workforce.” fighting for the election of a Labour economic, social and climate justice cannot And by bringing Royal Mail back into public This is another issue close to his Government under Keir Starmer. be separated, and that any response to the ownership, it can give workers a say in how heart, as Tahir was a Royal Mail Engineering And his experience as a city councillor “And I’m confident that if we work climate crisis must tackle each of these the service evolves.

apprentice himself. He started with the was key to his being selected to fight the Hall together, we’ll get the Labour victory in the ) interconnected crises together. We need to mobilise the entire economy

D company back in 1989, at the age of 18 and Green Parliamentary Seat in 2019, which he next election that this country really needs.” N Within Royal Mail and BT, there are vital to address the scale of the climate crisis and then became one of the crew repairing and describes as “a great honour. G opportunities to expand and democratise economic injustices. We need system-wide

L

( maintaining machines and equipment at “It was really strange fighting the election our communications networks. Firstly, by change, and communications workers have

h Birmingham Mail Centre. campaigning in winter though,” he adds. s bringing these essential services back into a vital role to play in that. The past year has r “My union rep back then was a man called “When we got the news that we had won a public ownership, and organising them so shown how essential our communications m We need our Labour t Robbie Harper and in many ways he was the Seat, I felt very emotional, especially l that workers have a direct, democratic role in networks are in keeping us connected, and a my mentor – always encouraging me to get when my father told me he felt like “the S the way they are run. Second, by expanding we need to fight to make them greener, more Party to set out a s involved in the union and I first of all was a proudest man on Earth,” Tahir recalls, adding ri and widening access to their services so that accessible and ensure that they provide Ch mail centre engineering rep, then a sub- that these are words he remembers often, national programme everyone in the country is able to access quality jobs long into the future. In order to divisional rep,” he explains. particularly since his father sadly passed away for jobs and skills for them. get the ambitious industrial strategy that is “I’ve lived in Birmingham since my family last year. When it comes to BT, this could involve vitally needed to deliver this, workers need to came here from Kashmir back in 1972, when “Although we won Hall Green with a the future of our young the rollout of fibre broadband to everyone demand it. That is why we are calling for all I was just over a year old, and I grew-up big majority, 2019 was a terrible defeat for in the country. As argued by the TUC in trade unionists to work with us in fighting for in the inner-city. If ever I faced bullying our party nationally and so we’ve got a big people their Rebuilding after the Recession report, a Green New Deal. or discrimination, I learned at a young age rebuilding job to do.”

20 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 21 EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE EQUALITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Lucy Surti: TRANS ‘I’m a lot happier now.’ AWARENESS BEGINS WITH LISTENING

Voice invited writer and film-maker Juliet Jacques to tell us something about her own experiences, about the realities of being a Ella Howard: ‘My gender trans person in today’s society and to interview identity doesn’t affect two of our own CWU trans members… anyone else’s day-to-day life.’ Photo by Robin Silas Christian

t seems like every day there are that got worse after a decade of rising trans changes to the workplace would make much This kind of support in the workplace Ella Howard, a BT/Openreach engineer Ella became a young workers’ officer hysterical headlines in the British press visibility coupled with NHS funding cuts, more of a difference to their daily lives. is crucial, especially for those who have just from Shrewsbury, began her transition three for Mid-Wales, The Marches & North Staffs Iabout trans and non-binary people, but there have been two major legal changes. I came out as a transsexual woman in come out, says Lucy Surti, who works in years ago, getting a referral to the Gender Branch and, after being selected as a delegate most of the community just want a quiet One was the Gender Recognition Act 2009, working for an NHS Trust in Brighton & collections for the Royal Mail transport office Identity Clinic. She came out at work in to the union’s general conference, met life. For some people, the pitch of the 2004, which allowed legal gender recognition Hove. I spoke first to the HR manager and the in Leicester and is the LGBT+ officer for the February 2019 in a meeting with colleagues, another trans member and saw something media coverage makes even the prospect for transsexual people – who transitioned equality and diversity lead, who assured me East Midlands Branch of the CWU. saying: “I’m still the same person, but if of the CWU’s approach. There were policies of meeting a trans person seem daunting, from male to female, or vice versa – but only they would handle any negative reactions to She came out in January 2018 and says there’s anything you want to know, just ask.” in place to prevent discrimination against let alone discussing the issues around with the approval of two GPs and a panel, and, my announcement – an advantage of working she’s “a lot happier now,” having managed Most people said they were fine with this LGBT+ people but not much specifically for trans politics. if married, a spouse. for a big public-sector organisation in a city both her transition and the changes it and got on with things and she told the one trans people, and she says that she sensed But the whole thing is simpler than it The other was the Equality Act 2010, with a large LGBT+ community. brought to her personal life. Although HR person who hassled her that she would raise a a generational difference within the union, seems. Most trans people at the workplace, which included gender identity as a protected Then I emailed my colleagues to tell and the union provided support, and her grievance with HR if this continued. “If there feeling that some older members took her less and especially those who come out, just want characteristic but let women-only spaces them I would soon be working as Juliet, and colleagues have been broadly accepting, Lucy was blatant transphobic stuff, I stamped it out seriously after she came out. to be treated with the same kindness and exclude trans people if they felt the safety of my pronouns would be she/her. I assured remembered “that first day” as “really scary,” pretty quickly,” she said. There was not much Again, gentle inter-personal contact can respect as everyone else. those spaces might be compromised. them that the world would not end if they recalling: “You feel like a freak and worry of that though, more often, people sometimes start to fix this – the matter really is not as Coming out at work is often terrifying Efforts to reform these laws, so that trans ever got my name or pronouns wrong – they everyone will stare at you or make fun of you.” asked inappropriate questions about her complicated, or as difficult, as some people for trans people, even those who get on well people can define their own identities – as were often terrified of slipping up and being An explicit statement that the employer personal life, but if she declined to answer, might have you believe. with their colleagues. The Sex Discrimination in Ireland, Belgium, Portugal and Argentina, seen as a bad person, but I could tell when and the union already have processes in place, they stopped. “It’s a question of education, Act was amended in 1999 to make it illegal to name just a few – and feel confident in someone was well-meaning and when the so trans people know in advance that they and making people understand that my gender to sack workers for their gender identity, being able to access services for survivors person was not, and I trusted them to handle will receive backing, would be good, as would identity won’t affect anyone else’s day-to- although it cannot stop employers passing of domestic abuse or sexual violence, have things with dignity. I was lucky, my colleagues branch LGBT+ leads – who could liaise with day life,” says Ella, who did some reverse • Juliet Jacques has written three books, the over people for being trans at the interview met with huge resistance from our UK soon adapted and, in some cases, were much the regional ones – and an offer of subsidised mentoring of senior staff who felt they were most recent being Variations, a collection of stage, nor can it prevent staff from making Government and the media. These issues are friendlier – feeling like I had opened up to counselling or even just a weekly check-in struggling to grasp the issues – this helped to short stories about British trans and non- workplaces inhospitable. Since then, with the important, as self-identification would make it them and doing the same in return. Telephone from someone to help people deal with the break through some of the stereotypes and binary people to be published by Influx Press right to hormones and surgery – but not facial easier for individuals to apply for documents conversations with people at other trusts, who challenges of coming out. (I had affordable scare stories in the news. in June 2021. hair removal for trans women – on the NHS in their chosen genders, and to get married didn’t know me, were hardest and I sought out therapy in Brighton via a local trans support already secured, but with long waiting lists to their partners, but for most trans people, NHS voice therapy to help with that. group, and it helped enormously with coming out in my NHS job.)

22 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 23 WORKPLACE FRONTLINE PERSONAL STORIES

‘Covid lockdowns hit younger people hard KEEPING WORKPLACES CLEAN – it was tough for us’ AND SAFE FOR OUR COLLEAGUES don’t think it’s appreciated how activities, including podcasts, zoom events colleagues are “all really supportive and help much this past year has impacted and live videos. me a lot. Cleaners are the unsung heroes of the pandemic, ‘Ion younger people,” says CWU “I hope people have enjoyed some of “But what’s been most sad for me has young workers national committee these, and hopefully cheered them up a bit,” been not seeing my girlfriend Holly, who lives Keeping workplace premises clean and virus free has member Reece Scane, “there’s all this he says, adding: “Personally, I’d say it’s been in Wales. We’ve been together four years and meant increased workloads and more hours for those pressure on us and it’s sometimes felt good for me to have activities to do.” we’re in contact all the time. We’re getting on the frontline. Voice spoke with two of their reps... like we’ve been blamed and accused of Reece was diagnosed with autism a couple each other through this – but we both can’t being selfish. of years ago and for him, the disruption of wait for April, hopefully meet up at Easter,

h t “But teenagers and younger adults have ‘normal’ routines and sudden changes can hit can’t wait!” o WU rep Kelly Wynne is “Locally, for example, there are four of us o found this period really, really tough – we’re him hard. “Activities and being busy with something determined that her hard-working in my area and each of us is responsible for B at an age when we need to be out and about, are good for me, I get really into things – and la members’ efforts are recognised dozens of sites – of various size. o hanging out with friends, dating, enjoying as well as my union activity, I really love my ic C “I’m on a daily 8am to 5pm Monday-to- N music together, socialising etc. music.” and rewarded when pay negotiations open in a couple of months. Friday shift,” she continues, adding that her Nicola Booth is one of the union’s five “Younger members I represent have said Reece plays drums and does backing Kelly represents around 1,000 working day can involve “quite a bit of travel. area representatives for our members these things to me and how the rules have vocals in a duo – Reece Scan & Amelia Barnard housekeeping workers servicing BT and “Today there was more than usual – I had employed as cleaners in Royal Mail been confusing and hard to follow,” adds – and they are both looking forward to being Openreach premises and serves on the union’s to go to Kelsall first, then Wrexham and onto Property & Facilities Services (RMP&FS). Reece, who is also the young workers officer able to play live. national team for the now outsourced facilities Prestatyn, and tomorrow I need to visit the Nicola, who is based in Yorkshire, tells for his branch, South Central Postal. “I’d say our music is ‘acoustic-pop’ workers. 999 centre in Bangor.” The Voice that the recent period has “been “I know the restrictions have all been and we’ve recorded an album called Street “I’d say the total amount of cleaning incredibly hard for our members.” necessary of course and I know everyone’s Lights,” he continues, adding that his all-time required increased enormously during the ‘Our housekeeping members In terms of estimating increased workload, missed all these things – but sometimes it drumming hero is Bev Bevan of 1970s rock pandemic,” she tells The Voice. “Every touch she says: “If we said, for example, it was ‘100 seems like middle-aged people forget how “I can become very sensitive to last- band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO). point has had to be cleaned during the day – do a fantastic job and I’m per cent’ before Covid, it’s risen to about ‘150 they felt when they were young themselves.” minute change in particular, I can overthink “Amelia and I are really looking forward every door handle, kettle, tap, for example. really proud of them.’ per cent’, if we use that as a comparison. Along with others on the national young things and if I get upset, it can go into to playing some live music – roll on the end of “It’s regularly audited by management “Previously, we would’ve cleaned the workers committee, Reece has been active in distress and I can get physically as well as lockdown!” and our housekeeping members have certainly Kelly lives in the north Wales town of touch-points as you came out of a room, on a keeping in touch with members around the emotionally very tense,” he explains, adding been under increased pressure.” Buckley and, in common with approximately daily basis, but now it’s a lot more often. country and involved in organising online that his parents, family and friends and work Exchanges, even those which are not one-third of the population, is a Welsh “Our members are on extra hours now at a routinely staffed, must also be kept clean language speaker. She explains that Welsh lot of the sites, and at other units they’ve been because so many of them are used as rest tends to be more widely spoken in the north putting in a lot of extra hours on overtime,” facilities for field engineers, she explains, with and west, whereas “in the south you don’t hear Nicola adds. all cleaning schedules having increased, in it so much.” “They’re all coping really well with what accordance with frequency of use. BT outsourced its facilities operation they’ve got to do, but at the same time, you get Don’t ignore symptoms of other conditions And the buildings with the most intense a couple of years ago and Kelly and her physically and mentally drained. – especially prostate problems work taking place are the 999 emergency colleagues are currently employed by a third- call centres, where all touch-points must be party service provider, although they have ‘Cleaners need to be ndy Moorey’s 2020 began reluctant to seek attention for non-Covid- “It was funny at first, but it got more and cleaned every hour. retained full CWU negotiating rights. recognised for the great with his return to work after a related symptoms. more painful.” “This used to be a daily schedule before “As well as me representing housekeeping Aprostate cancer operation, only to Andy wants to encourage other men, In increasing pain, Andy was driven Covid,” she explains. workers on the national team, there are also work they all do.’ immediately find himself in the midst of particularly men over 50 with what he by a friend to Guildford’s Royal Surrey “Our housekeeping members have had two security-member representatives,” she a national Royal Mail ballot and then the describes as “waterworks problems,” to “see Hospital, where doctors acted to relieve the more to do every day – but they do a fantastic says, adding that Brendan O’Brien is the “They’re keeping the workplace clean and pandemic. their doctors and get themselves checked. immediate problem and arranged for further job and I’m really proud of them,” says Kelly. union’s national officer for this group of safe for everybody else – when you think about As secretary of the CWU’s South East No5 appointments and tests. As wll as representing members, Kelly also members. it, they’re the ones on the frontline, cleaning Branch, Andy got busy helping to organise the “A couple of months later, I got the has to directly look after BT and Openreach “We did ask the company for a bonus just what could potentially be the Covid virus itself. YES campaign during January and February, diagnosis,” continues Andy. “The doctor said: premises within her own North Wales and after the first lockdown and they said wait “They need to be recognised by the and then of course last March the pandemic ‘You’ve got cancer’.” Chester area. until the end of Covid. company for the great work they do.” struck. After the initial shock, the conversation “We’re going into pay negotiations in June, Mick Kavanagh, who is the national “Covid’s been an awful period for everyone turned to the treatment options – which in and we’ll definitely be bringing that up again.” lead for our RMP&FS cleaners on behalf of as we all know,” he says, “across our branch, as his case, narrowed down to a choice between Brendan O’Brien confirms that he will the outdoor department, told Voice: “Our it was in the whole country. radiotherapy and prostate removal. “definitely raise the issue of a bonus and a RMP&FS cleaners have done a fantastic job “And just recently, when we were thinking “I chose removal because I thought my fair pay rise for our fantastic housekeeping in extremely difficult circumstances, keeping the worst was over, seven workers at one chances would be better. I had the operation members. workplaces clean and safe for others – proving of the delivery offices in my branch, tested and I was in for 48 hours, had a catheter for “They do a superb job in ‘normal’ times, to everyone how key they are as key workers. positive for the virus and around a third of the about 10 days afterwards and then a gradual but these past months, they’ve stepped up They’re deservedly getting their 3.1 per workforce had to shield. “I know it’s embarrassing, but these recovery. and gone the extra mile in terms of all the cent pay rise in April and, going forward, we’re “Thankfully, the seven members have problems are not going away if you ignore “My follow-up appointments and PSA increased duties and a great many thanks and getting into talks with the business to develop not had to be hospitalised and our shielding them – if it is prostate cancer, it’ll spread and (blood) tests were encouraging, the old e n deep respect to all of them. a new Royal Mail cleaning specification. members are now returning – but it just goes become fatal and the earlier it can be detected, ‘waterworks’ are now in full working order and n y “Along with the national team, I’ll be “This new ‘spec’ will recognise the critical to show that we all need to remain ever- the better. I’m currently all-clear,” he reports. W doing everything I can to ensure this group importance of this function and recognise the vigilant.” “I’d been ignoring these problems until I “If you’re reading this, if you're having ly el of workers get the recognition and reward critical importance of the frontline people who these symptoms, I’d be the happiest man ever K One indirect effect of the pandemic has suddenly realised it was very serious,” he recalls. that they so clearly deserve for their sterling do the job every day.” been its impact on the treatments of other “In 2019, I met up with some friends, drank a if this article persuades you to get tested.” efforts.” illnesses and conditions – with evidence few more beers than I normally would, and then suggesting that people have become more when I needed to ‘go’, I found I just couldn’t. 24 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 25 RECRUITMENT & ORGANISING EQUALITY IN PRACTICE CWU GROWING IN THE UK TECH SECTOR A win for women – a campaign success At its launch towards the end of last year, the CWU’s United Tech & Allied An example of the CWU’s equality agenda in action has been our union’s part in the Workers National Branch sparked a huge amount of media interest, as well as fight against period poverty, a story of a female-driven campaign, male allyship and a wave of new recruits eager to get stuck into organising a sector in which the an industrial focus… British trade union movement has had little presence up until now. or several years now, the CWU has “There could be kids in school going products. This big win is something that Erin campaigned on the issue of period through their periods without having any and many other CWU members would like to F poverty. This is the term used for the products to help – and on the flip side, there see replicated across Britain. situation women face when they can’t will be women going to work without any “There’s still a lot of work that needs to be access period products for no other reason supplies because they’ve given them to their done still”, Erin said. But given the victories than their financial circumstances. daughter. that the CWU have already had on the issue, While this issue may not have been taken “Half the people on the planet could be she echoes the sentiments of many members seriously by mainstream politicians for very potentially affected by this.” when she expresses confidence over the role long, it is and has been a massive problem. The CWU’s track record of period poverty that our union can continue to play in this In Britain alone, it is estimated that campaigning is significant and compares fight. around one in 10 women can’t afford to get well to the work done on this by other, much She went on to say: “I think if we keep on basic sanitary products while on their periods. bigger, unions. hammering the campaigning, getting it out An estimated 49 per cent of all schoolgirls Across the country, our members have there in the media, and continue pushing to have missed a day of school because of their been involved in period poverty collections raise awareness in our branches, we could periods, while around 14 per cent of girls have, and donation drives and, after an appeal from soon be on the path to wiping period poverty at one stage, been forced to borrow period the national young workers committee, our out everywhere in this country.” nd, in a very short space of CWU head of recruitment and organising products from their friends. 2019 annual conference in Bournemouth time, its initial membership has Ray Ellis, who oversaw the formation of the The knock-on effects of such a situation donated huge amounts to a local charity. A grown rapidly. The branch now tech workers’ branch back in September, on women – on their sense of self, their Members have also forced the subject has several hundred members – a real told The Voice that he has been “incredibly educational and work experiences, and their onto our industrial agenda. Last year, for breakthrough for trade unionism in the impressed with the engagement level and overall quality of life – is obvious. This is why, example, BT Group agreed to begin offering tech sector. proactivity of the new members. in recent years, campaign after campaign has free sanitary products for their female They are currently working on a major “When you combine their determination been launched across the country over this employees. This result was down to an awareness project around the rise of employee to create a strong union movement across the issue. incredibly powerful fight by CWU members surveillance. As branch rep Marcus Storm told sector with the self-awareness of their value Our union stepped up to the challenge, in BT, whose serious lobbying work made sure The Voice, such technology can be used by in the economy, you find tech workers in a and members from every part of the CWU that the company is now an industry leader in employers for sinister means. For example, uniquely powerful position. have been at the frontline of period poverty eradicating period poverty. an online advertisement for a surveillance “They’ve made it clear that they’re not campaigning. As Mersey Branch rep Erin Brett This victory pre-empted last November’s company that Marcus told us that he saw here to fight just for themselves and their own tells The Voice: “This issue is so important for monumental fight, led by Labour MSP Monica recently invited tech firms to hire them to interests, but that they believe they also have myself and other CWU members is because it Lennon, to make Scotland the first country in monitor internal company communications a role to play in supporting other workers in affects so many. the world to offer universal access to period and ‘identify troublesome employees’ who do struggle,” Ray continues, adding: “There’s not match the ‘ethos’ of the company. some exciting potential here for a renewed This “slightly disturbing language” from approach to solidarity in the digital age.” this surveillance company, as Marcus puts it, Marcus says that many new members are is reflective of the intrusive behaviour that “quite pleasantly surprised” that the branch is tech workers can face from their bosses – and a “community first and foremost”, with 99 per many without realising. “They were promising cent of members keeping in regular contact a kind of automated hire and fire solution”, he with each other and chatting through online said, pointing out that many tech companies channels, while ‘drop-in calls’ are a regular “analyse your e-mails, your instant messages, occurrence. your videos, without you even knowing.” Alongside this, members are humming As a result of this, the branch is developing with discussion about ways to encourage as a tech workers’ advice programme on the issue, many tech workers as possible to join, with which will include reading material, pamphlets suggestions including a possible concessionary and guidebooks. Since sales of surveillance membership for those currently studying software have risen by around 50-60 per cent technology-related courses before they enter throughout the pandemic, Marcus points out the world of work. that there will be a wave of new union activists Marcus and his fellow members believe trained to give good guidance on what he calls this can help develop the union in this sector an “egregious problem” in the sector. into a significant force in unmasking unequal Alongside this work, the branch is also employment practice and improving working focusing on building mass collective power conditions, saying: “Now we have a union within the technology industry, which, whilst for tech workers – I hope we can be a part of accounting for around 9 per cent of the British revitalising the labour movement.” workforce, currently sits at less than 3 per cent union density nationally.

26 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 THE VOICE | SPRING 2021 27 SOLIDARITY COMPETITION TIME

Thanks Voice readers for so many Marion Mortimer of Coalsnaughton So, it’s a three-way tie this time folks great ‘Postie Spidey’ captions – more and Bristol member Paul Hudd gave – and the iconic ‘CWU Goodie Bag’ entries than ever, making this one a us some memorable quotes from the has been sent to Craig, Balbinder and tough call indeed! classic Spiderman movies! Derrick with our congratulations. Several of you gave us a chuckle Our Voice judges eventually decided And to all of you, thanks so much comparing ‘the post’ to ‘the web’, that the best three were “We posties for the laughs and the smiles – proving and others reminded us, quite rightly, are having to reach new heights,” once again that as well as being that all of you CWU members have from Mr Craig Foster of Sunderland; superheroes, CWU members also have been Superheroes during this awful Birmingham member Ms Balbinder the best sense of humour. BRITISH GAS WORKERS STANDING SOLID RESISTING BOSSES’ ATTACKS pandemic. Kaur’s “With great post comes great Honourable mentions for John Keilty responsibility”; and “Yes, I did ‘go’ Why not have a go at this one! Please of Wembley, who had our superhero before I put my suit on,” suggested by send your suggested caption to warning us all to wear our masks, while Derrick Cleverley of Basingstoke. ction could continue to mid- been described metaphorically by the union, with legal advice given to him and on the basis [email protected] April in this deadlocked to ‘putting a gun to our heads’ and ‘poisoning the that he did not expect to reach a negotiated ‘A dispute,” said GMB national well’ of the negotiation process. settlement – and that the additional working WARD officer Justin Bowden earlier this month, A key demand by the company is for a hours plan was aimed at making his workforce as he announced further strikes in the three-hour increase in engineers’ working “competitive.” Directly employed workers ‘fire and hire’ British Gas dispute. week – which the union points out is a were, he told the Committee, “30 to 50 per SEARCH Walkouts scheduled for mid-to-late March significant cut in hourly pay rates in itself and cent more expensive than contractors.” Congratulations too, to the took the total number of industrial action days makes a mockery of Mr O’Shea’s claims that If the increased working week and his Wardsearch ‘Goodie Bag’ Winners to 42, since the beginning of 2021. he does not want to cut engineers’ pay. other impositions were not applied, more – the first 10 correct solutions were Talks held through arbitration service Other proposals to impose an added half an directly employed workers would lose their received from… ACAS failed to reach a resolution when hour at the start and end of daily shifts add jobs and the company would increase its use company bosses refused to take their ‘fire and further to this reduction on basic rights, which of contract labour, he said. ??? Peter Butler, Solihull, West Midlands hire’ threat off the table – the union’s central effectively cut some hourly rates by as much For the GMB, Justin Bowden pointed Anne Summerfield Northampton demand. as £3.50 per hour. out to the MPs that the GMB had been Glenn Hopley, Rochdale, Lancashire British Gas is wholly owned by Centrica, With the company refusing to withdraw representing British Gas workers “for about Shoukat Maka, Bolton a ‘PLC’ which was created in 1997, when its controversial proposals or its ‘fire and hire’ 130 years – since our union was first founded” Miss Ghazala Begum, Birmingham ‘British Gas PLC’ – which had been privatised threat, the GMB called a strike ballot and won and had always been prepared to negotiate Andy Gibb, Glasgow a decade earlier – was demerged into three an overwhelming 89 per cent majority for with the employer to work though change, Jackie Latham, Manchester parts; Centrica, BG and Transco. action – action which began in January and has saying: “It’s what we do as trade unions.” Lee Wells, Kent And the root of the dispute went back to continued in several phases through February And in response to Mr O’Shea’s insistence June of last year, when Centrica CEO Chris and into March. that this round of attacks on terms and Mrs Christine Moulding, Blaydon, O’Shea announced 4,000 redundancies, along Both sides were asked to appear last conditions were necessary to the business, Tyne & Wear with increases to working hours and other month before the Business Energy and Justin revealed that this is not a struggling Paula Hudson, Newcastle Under Lyne significant changes to terms and conditions Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Select Committee company, but a highly profitable one. …and the bonus word was ‘embrace’ and then, after just two meetings with the of MPs, who asked Mr O’Shea why he had “In the first six months of 2020, the union, served a formal ‘Section 188 Notice’ on issued the Section 188 Notice and the adjusted operating profit of the Centrica the union representatives. reasoning behind his attacks on workers’ home business, this is where the engineers in P X R S S Y T I L A U X E S G N N S T A Could you be a Top-Ten winner this time? Try to find these 12 words in the grid – each Section 188 is from the 1992 Labour and terms and conditions. dispute work, was £229 million – an increase U W Y M S T O U C V Z L Q L E A O I W U Trade Union Relations (Consolidation) Act The CEO claimed that the serving of the of 27 per cent on the same period,” he told word relates to the overall ‘theme’ of this Y P Y B N E F T D X N U A M N K L H F N and its use by the business in this instance has Section 188 Notice had been in accordance the Committee. edition. F T N S C G N M K T R S O Z D X O P E L Take a photo of your solution, send to N V I Z G N W R V C B K C C E U P I E O [email protected] and the first 10 P U C L L I O O I A K M A I R M S G M C correct entries received will win! SHOW YOUR SOLIDARITEA* WITH GMB BRITISH GAS STRIKERS D R I L I E S V J A S V R X C K Q E M K Best of luck folks! C G E O V B O U N H F Y E V O F K L B F ast month, thousands of our own “It’s never been more important to members tuned in to a special online come together and stand together. To our To order one – or a bulk order for your branch, B B O S Y L A C H E A X M T L Q N V R H Respect event in support of our fellow trade members – get behind these guys,” he urged. simply follow the link on the CWU website. L W I P E P L U L C L R H Q I L L U S K Q Fairness unionists working for British Gas. And, making the point that this struggle My “bonus We were delighted to welcome GMB and our own struggles further prove the need N Z E B N E O D I U Z O K Z E I V V X W Collective word tolled in striker and local shop steward Paul Vowles for joint solidarity in action, Dave added: N V G Y V W C W T V L O Y N C V L F N Q Identity January for a to speak to us, telling the audience of the “Let’s also all get behind the fight for a footballing damaging effect of the company’s demands to New Deal for Workers.” P I D E N T I T Y S V T G B T R J H B X Culture legend increase the working week, force him to work K F Q V K H P D Z O B C U V I N T U P P Ability an extra half hour at the start and end of each *with every cuppa N X O Z Y S K P G P B P E R V C X J H J Gender shift and extra weekend working too. At that event, the CWU launched our own And our members also heard from the ‘Solidaritea*’ campaign – specially designed B Z W V Z P F U F N X I N X E A Q K Q K Sexuality union’s Scotland Region organiser Hazel mugs expressing our full support for our Q R V R Y W I M K N A C F Z G T U D B O Diverse Nolan, who said how proud she was of Paul striking GMB comrades. and all the other British Gas strikers. Already, over a thousand have been G K G F C D I N R V S I W I X P O M J A Wellbeing Our general secretary Dave Ward described sold at the bargain price of £4.12 each, Y B K K F Y T V M D I V E R S E B N H J Care the company’s actions as “deplorable” and with £2 from every sale going to the GMB X G D C S N V R I J F O T F R C O V Q T Unlock compared the high wage of its CEO with the British Gas strike fund. attacks being made on the frontline workers.

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