P8-9 FOUR PILLARS PROGRESS P14-15 WORKING-CLASS POLITICS P16-17 CLOSE THE GAP ON PAY Significant progress on the big Looking back at the CWU’s year Unequal treatment of agency issue of pensions; positive news in politics and making our plans employees becomes impossible on pay and the working week for the next 12 months to ignore as politicians pile in

December 2017 One union, one magazine, one voice

CWU members across the UK #TellBTNo ‘We deserve better’ BT told as pension anger mounts. See pages 5,6 & 7 WELCOME General Secretary's column Ben Chacko GUEST COLUMNIST

ContactUs Trade unions really CAN CWU HQ – all enquiries 150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX T: 020 8971 7200 In most cases your branch should be reshape our country's future your first point of contact. Details are on your membership card. Harassment Helpline 0800 090 2303 Have you changed your address? Please inform CWU about any changes passengers who are disproportionately likely to to your membership details. There are Morning Star editor Ben Chacko three different ways to update your argues that the TU movement is be attacked. Many of the public protests were led membership details: by DPAC not by RMT. Passenger groups also took ■ Option 1 – Log into the members’ well placed to take centre stage the lead in some protests at railway stations, and only section of the CWU website (www. cwu.org), using the username and in the fight for a better Britain RMT even got a public meeting with the Women’s password you have previously been sent, Equality Party to highlight the risks of driver- and change your own details. only trains to women travelling alone. Again, the ■ Option 2 – Contact your branch secretary with your new details. s we go into 2018, not just our pay packets basic industrial issue around jobs has been given a ■ Option 3– Contact CWU HQ on 020 but our schools, libraries and hospitals, broader social resonance. 8971 7447 or email your new details to Aour postal service and our fire service, will [email protected] and we will make all depend on the extent to which we can build the necessary changes. s we come to the end of 2017 and movement to come together and launch a major solidarity across different groups of workers. Please help us help you – keep your Tory anti-union thresholds details up to date. take stock of where we are, I think campaign for a bold new deal for all UK workers. If you’re going to build solidarity you need we’re justified in saying the CWU This approach is gaining traction and as the people to know what you’re fighting for. can be beaten when union is in a good place. 2017 has shown CWU has been calling for, the TUC will now Take for example the recent McJobs dispute members are determined to Athat we are trying new and very different things be holding a major national demonstration waged by BFAWU. There were a few days in protect their livelihoods to significantly improve engagement with in London on 12th May demanding an end to September when every media outlet was leading on BEN CHACKO members, acting as one union by harnessing all insecure employment and a fundamental shift the McDonald’s strike — or it seemed that way. But CWU Legal Services: UNIONLINE our strengths and resources in the interests of all to promote trade union rights and collective this was a strike at just two outlets for just 24 hours, 0300 333 0303 our members – wherever you work. bargaining. and it didn’t even close those. So, what made it such A similar approach was taken by the ATL and UNIONLINE is the CWU’s very own law The Four Pillars campaign in Royal Mail With all of the issues, what underpins them is a big deal? NUT (now National Education Union) when they firm offering members and their families delivered a huge Yes vote that sent a clear message the fact that workers in this country are under Firstly, novelty. It was the first strike at launched the School Cuts campaign, built around a fast route to free, comprehensive legal advice. – not only to Royal Mail but more widely – that greater pressure than any time in living memory McDonald’s in Britain. But also, recognition. an interactive website which allows parents to ■ Personal injury claims for members the CWU will stand up for our members and to work harder and faster for less. McDonald’s wasn’t picked at random. It’s the enter their postcode and immediately see the and family is leading the way in the union movement on Because of this, I am clear that in 2018 we biggest private-sector employer on the planet and, impact of projected government cuts at their ■ Employment law advice (members only) ■ Free legal advice helpline campaigning. have to secure the future of the CWU, and as Scott Courtney of the SEIU says, “the driving local schools. This approach enabled activists to ■ Free will writing service Make no mistake, an 89.1 per cent vote for strike continue to drive forward positive changes in force on the route to a low-road economy.” quickly build community support and, before long, ■ New free motor claims service action means the pressure is squarely on Royal the way we stand up for members, through the In the words of Ronnie Draper, BFAWU general thousands of teachers and parents had delivered To register a claim or for any legal advice call UNIONLINE on 0300 333 0303 Mail to listen to CWU members. As negotiations Re-design project. secretary: “The strike at McDonald’s gives young over a million leaflets in their local communities, continue (at the time of writing) the company Significant steps have been taken in 2017 to people the confidence to fight and it’s given a boost pressuring politicians to oppose the Government To register a claim or for any legal advice call UNIONLINE on 0300 333 0303 has made significant concessions and our ballot take out cost at our headquarters and improve to other high street campaigns by unions including cuts. A Survation poll shortly after the 2017 election More information at www.unionline.co.uk remains intact. key areas of our work nationally and we will be Unite and GMB. And if you crack McDonald’s you’ll showed that several hundred thousand people had More recently, in BT over pensions and with launching a number of initiatives to move this crack the others. It’s the market leader, so you create switched their votes to Labour as a result of the Publications Editor our Manpower agency workers, we have been forward across the union’s structures over the a domino effect.” campaign. Simon Alford engaging our members around the country in a next 12 months. Or take the long-running RMT campaign Finally, the CWU’s own pensions dispute at Journalist, The Voice way that few other unions in the UK are able to The positive work this union has done over to keep guards on trains. In spite of relentless Royal Mail, which used social media to enhance Karl Stewart do. On both issues, it is clear that our members the past year could not have been achieved media hostility, the union has managed to gather workplace mobilisation, shows that the Tory Stories for The Voice and deserve better from a company that is making without the hard work and significant public support. anti-union thresholds can be beaten when Communications department billions of pounds in profits each year. support of our reps and The Government mantra around strikes - union members are determined to protect their 020 8971 7497 In our political work the CWU has played members. In 2018 the particularly strikes on public services, and livelihoods. Published on behalf of CWU by Century One Publishing Ltd. a crucial role in bringing Labour back to struggle continues (this essential services that ought to be public like All this points towards a movement with its T: 01727 893 894 representing working people and in shaping the is what we exist for). the railways - is that they are selfish. eye on changing the world, not just terms and W: www.centuryonepublishing.uk wider UK political landscape. Renationalisation Enjoy the break and Inconveniencing the public to get more conditions. Alongside a Labour Party now ready Advertising enquiries of Royal Mail has become a major political issue have a happy Christmas money for themselves — what bastards! to stand with striking workers rather than disown Felipe Dellinger where we have been able to repeatedly put the and New Year – But the RMT focused its campaign on them, the potential for our movement to become a T: 01727 739 183 E: [email protected] Government under pressure and our call for a you deserve it. safety and quickly reached out to other powerful force in shaping this country’s future is Creative design and production Post Bank has also cut through this year. organisations, most notably Disabled clearer than ever. Heena Gudka & Alan Booth Within the TUC we are connecting our People Against the Cuts (DPAC) who Cover image © CWU industrial and political work and the CWU is were concerned about disabled access to The Morning Star is the only socialist daily newspaper leading the push for the whole of the union GENERAL SECRETARY trains as well as the safety of disabled published in the UK. See www.morningstaronline.co.uk

@CWUNews December 2017 THE VOICE 03 WELCOME Postal News Telecoms & Financial Services News WELCOME

he CWU’s Pay and Four Pillars cam- In pursuing these objectives, our collective DGS COLUMN paign has been the central focus of determination and continued solidarity will DGS COLUMN T the union’s activity over the past 12 be absolutely critical. Our strength in the months. national talks and our ability to secure a In the face of Royal Mail’s relentless cost- decent agreement will ultimately depend write as the BT pensions’ cutting agenda and the serious challenges on our well-organised representative consultation draws to a close the company faces from competition, structure and the support of our members in Ifollowing the company’s decision to regulation and automation, the union’s workplaces right across the country. unilaterally plough ahead without a campaign has set out a positive vision for The talks are precariously positioned negotiated settlement with the CWU. Royal Mail and key policy priorities aimed and whilst progress has been made they Hopefully you’ve made it along at providing a better and more secure could go either way at any moment in time. to a branch meeting, filled in the future for all our members at work and in What is emerging are the major differences special CWU survey at www.cwu. retirement. between us which we will have to resolve org/btpensions/ or read the online After months of difficult talks and in the early in the New Year if a dispute is to be presentation at www.cwu.org/ wake of the union’s successful campaign avoided. campaign/bt-pensions/ and tremendous ballot result, the New Year Finally, I would like to thank all members The CWU firmly believes that will see us resume serious talks with the and representatives for the support they members in BT should reject ALL of business around our key priorities. These are have shown to date and to wish all members the company’s proposals - and that Tell BT No: Battle lines drawn on pensions securing a new wage in retirement pension and their families a Merry Christmas and a message is reiterated in the adjacent BT’s proposals to radically change afford more – despite its protestations scheme for all, a fair pay rise for 2017/18, an happy and peaceful New Year. story and on pages 6 & 7. pension provision across the company – given that it made £7.5bn last agreed flight path and timetable to a shorter Pensions, after all, are your have been branded a “slap in the face year and paid out more than £1bn in working week, extension of our agreements deferred pay and are absolutely vital Terry Pullinger to loyal employees” by the CWU, which dividends. and legal protections and a redesigned - no matter what age you are. is urging members to deliver an outright “BT’s current proposals for both the pipeline that protects the USO and provides DEPUTY GENERAL SECRETARY We’re convinced that BT can afford rejection of the plans in a formal 60- BTPS and BTRSS are nothing less than opportunities for future growth. (POSTAL) more. We believe it should share the day consultation that is presently at its a slap in the face for loyal employees burden of increased costs for future midpoint. and must be challenged with a totally service with its employees in the With both BT Pension Scheme (BTPS) united front. BTPS, and make higher contributions and BT Retirement Saving Scheme “BT talks about ‘fairness’, but some to the BTRSS. (BTRSS) members affected by different senior management get a contribution CWU calls on Post Office to see sense over pay row The consultation closes on January proposals which the union believes to their pensions of up to 30 per Post Office chiefs face the prospect of After the initial verdict, the union 17, and we urge ALL members in both totally fail to grasp the importance cent of salary – far in excess of any a costly group litigation involving over once again has urged the business to schemes to vociferously reject ALL hard-working employees place on CWU member – further highlighting 1,000 employees if the company does reach agreement with them over the BT’s proposals. decent pension provision in retirement, the total inadequacy of its paltry not reach agreement with the CWU issue – granting a one-month period The union has also been busy members are being urged to say ‘no’ offering to BTRSS members and the over imposed changes from weekly to of consideration in order to resolve the campaigning to Close the Gap on to all of BT’s proposals for both the unacceptability of the massive changes monthly pay. matter in a fair manner. pay rates for our Manpower agency defined benefit BTPS and the defined suggested for BTPS members.” Last month, the union won a But, at the same time, the CWU has members working at BT sites. For contribution BTRSS that has been in Andy concludes: “These proposals significant ‘test-case’ victory at an also been preparing for the possibility years they’ve languished on low pay, place since 2001. represent the short-changing of ALL Employment Tribunal, which ruled that the Post Office may not see reason, working alongside directly employed Amid profound CWU disappointment of our members and it’s vital that that the Post Office had acted outwith by putting in place arrangements for a colleagues who earn significantly that the company has pressed ahead senior management emerges from this contract law when it imposed this potential group litigation, action which more. with a formal 60-day consultation consultation under no illusion as to the change. the union would be optimistic of winning The CWU has decided enough while negotiations are still underway, level of anger we know is out there, Two Post Office workers – both in view of the test-case verdict. is enough and, with no sign of the union is convinced that only an because that will present the company of whom are CWU members, one “What has been now firmly movement from the employer, CWU overwhelming expression of employee with a very stark choice between from Supply Chain and the other a established is that contracts of national officer Sally Bridge kicked anger at the company’s current listening sensibly to what its workforce Crown Office counter clerk – won the employment must be respected and off the campaign in November during proposals will provide the impetus is saying and reopening meaningful judgement, which declared that they cannot be changed through unilateral National Living Wage Week. A required for a meaningful company discussions with the union – or riding are still entitled to be paid every week or ‘executive’ action,” explained Andy, UK-wide tour of all BT sites where rethink – without which a major roughshod over loyal employees with and that every Friday, when they are move 1,230 employees onto the new adding that the CWU’s success here Manpower agency members work, industrial relations breakdown looks all the risks that carries.” not paid, the Post Office will be in salary schedule, we told the employer “has a much wider significance, because was hugely successful. See pages 16 inevitable. breach of contract. that if they wanted to make such a this applies to any contractual change & 17 for the full story. Urging ALL members to make the Furthermore, the Tribunal held change then they needed to negotiate for everyone, and not just this change Watch this space for further See also pages 6 & 7 time to read and digest the company’s that, because of the way that the a collective agreement and to pay from weekly to monthly pay for these activities on both detailed consultation document and The union’s detailed response to the BT Post Office imposed this change, the compensation to affected employees. members.” campaigns! Pension Review can be viewed at www. then to vociferously reject both the test-case claimants are entitled to a "But instead, they just went ahead cwu.org/campaign/bt-pensions/ BTPS and BTRSS proposals, deputy compensation payment of an extra two and imposed the change," he continued. Andy Furey is also heading up a bid for general secretary (T&FS) Andy Kerr You can also find us on Facebook and weeks’ pay, on top of their due wages. "We offered to take the issue to ‘worker status’ to be formally granted to our Postmaster members, an issue which stresses: “The simple truth is that CWU Twitter or email us on btpensions@cwu. CWU assistant secretary Andy ACAS for resolution, but the Post Office Andy Kerr org may also be submitted to a Tribunal if members in both schemes deserve Furey told The Voice: “When the Post dismissed the offer out of hand and the company and the union do not reach DEPUTY GENERAL better and it’s self-evident that BT can Office first announced its intention to that’s why we ended up at the Tribunal.” agreement. SECRETARY Reject all BT’s proposals – #TellBTNo (T&FS)

04 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @CWUNews December 2017 THE VOICE 05 FEATURE BT pensions review

‘WE DESERVE BETTER’ BT TOLD AS PENSION ANGER MOUNTS Thousands of CWU members across BT have already vented their fury at company plans to change pension ANDY KERR EXPLAINS THE arrangements. With a fortnight to run before an imposed UNION’S POSITION ON BT consultation period on unagreed proposals affecting PENSIONS – VIEW A DETAILED the entire workforce draws to a close, the union is urging ONLINE BRIEFING HERE those who have not already responded to ‘Tell BT No’ without delay. Simon Alford reports Unequivocal message: Reps at the special BT branch forum, at which general secretary Dave Ward (left) pledged the wider union's support

s things stand BT is persisting caps on both pensionable pay increases and is required, representing only around a £4 just days before the formal consultation member of South London, Surrey & North entire resources of the union will be made with two alternative proposals future increases for pensions in payment, per week increase in company contributions was launched at which the company’s lead Hampshire branch, predicted that once BTPS available for the forthcoming campaign if for the BTPS, which have Option 2 would mean in practice that BTPS for those joining BT. Similarly, while the negotiator attempted in vain to justify the members had digested the scale of the attack the present impasse with BT develops into a already been categorically members would have to pay much more company has finally accepted longstanding proposed changes to disgusted branch reps. on their pensions BT would have “lit the fully-fledged dispute. rejected by the CWU. for considerably less. BT’s costs for future CWU arguments that London Weighting Bill Dixon of South London, Surrey & touch paper all by itself”. Addressing last month’s special BT branch AOption 1 involves the closure of the BTPS service would only marginally increase. should count towards BTRSS pensions, other North Hampshire branch branded the Meanwhile, Chris Jukes of Mid Wales, the forum in Euston, Dave stressed that members for future service accrual from April 1 next Deputy general secretary Andy Kerr told allowances, notably shift pay and unsocial changes proposed for the BTPS “cataclysmic”, Marches & North Staffs branch insisted the in BT had the full support of the whole union, year – something the union has consistently The Voice: “BT is gambling that, faced with hours payments, which have always been adding that the company underestimated marginal improvements being proposed noting that the postal department is presently warned would automatically trigger an the option of total BTPS closure, members pensionable in the BTPS, are still excluded – workforce anger at its peril: “My members to the BTRSS would be totally inadequate in tough negotiations with Royal Mail over automatic industrial action ballot. will accept not just significant cuts to their which the union believes is simply not fair. are talking about broken promises and about to make any real difference to his own future pension provision. (See pages 4, 8 & 9) Option 2, which has been tabled by the future pension but big increases to their Deputy general secretary Andy Kerr retiring in poverty and they are not going to retirement prospects. “I’ve worked for the “I’m here to show the support of the whole company in response to the CWU’s absolute contribution levels as well. The CWU explains: “The pretty marginal improvements sit by and let this happen,” he warned. company for 10 years – and, while they say union at what is clearly a hugely difficult rejection of the BTPS’s closure – involves a raft remains absolutely committed to reaching BT is proposing to make to the BTRSS simply Directly asking management whether or they’ll be increasing the BTRSS by one per moment for our members in BT,” Dave of negative changes to the scheme that are a negotiated settlement that addresses the don’t go far enough to provide for a decent not the consultation was “a sham”, Graham cent, I’ve done the maths and I really don’t insisted to enthusiastic cheers from reps. so profound that they would make the BTPS BTPS’s long-term sustainability and this retirement at 60 or 65, and I’d urge all BTRSS Colk of South Wales branch stressed his own know how I will survive when I retire on “Clearly you’re prepared to take the virtually unrecognisable. issue could easily be resolved with just members to see through BT'’s positive spin members’ perception that “you’ve already £7,200 a year without going to foodbanks,” he company on with an industrial action ballot Member contributions are proposed to 1 per cent of BT’s profits. Any settlement and stand firm for what they deserve. made your mind up…you’ve invested in the stressed. “If anyone asks what I think about if that proves necessary and, should that increase by up to 3 per cent of salary and the must be fair to members, however, and the “We’ll never get a better opportunity glossy booklet, you’ve done your calculations, what’s being proposed my answer will be to happen, the whole union’s resources will be removal of the current National Insurance company’s current position simply isn’t.” to secure the sort of changes to the BTRSS and this is BT’s version of austerity. just reject it. It’s an absolute insult.” with you to secure the best possible deal for rebate would cost members another 1 per cent that are needed,” Andy concludes. “The “Then they’ll look at people in the BTRSS Angela Teeling of Greater Merseyside & our members.” of salary – while BT’s contributions would BTRSS LET-DOWN reasonableness of the CWU’s claim for a and see you are offering a pittance for those SW Lancs Amalgamated had an equally blunt Dave pointed out that BT was not alone in remain almost the same. Taken in conjunction The CWU has always believed that BT BTRSS that genuinely delivers for members individuals,” he added – predicting that message for management: “People just aren’t using statistics and financial projections to with a triple whammy of significantly reduced should pay more into the BTRSS. While BT’s is reflected in the fact that our claim for members of both schemes would respond to going to accept this and one of the reasons is “paint an air of despondency, inevitability, benefit build up rates, the scrapping of the current proposals offer a 1 per cent increase company contribution levels to be pitched at BT'’s consultation by “wanting the CWU to that they work really hard…we don’t see the doom and gloom” on pensions – and insisted specific additional lump sum for service after in company pension levels, the CWU is twice those of employees would only cost the consult with them about how we fight this.” shareholder dividends going down, yet you the real debate had to be shifted towards April 2018 and permanent highly detrimental adamant this falls well short of what company about 0.2 per cent of BT profit.” Jeffrey Till of Greater London Combined want us to lose ours,” she said. genuine affordability. agreed, stressing the company was “making “You say you have a responsibility to make “When you hear the numbers – the £7bn UNITED FRONT the minimum improvement to the BTRSS that sure pensions are fit for the future; well, if profit and the £1bn paid to shareholders SPEAK OUT NOW - TELL BT NO! The scale of the anger at BT’s pension it thinks it can get away with.” we can’t afford to live in the future you are – yet that the company isn’t prepared to go Anyone who hasn’t yet used the current consultation period to tell BT precisely what proposals amongst both BTPS and BTRSS “So what’s the consultation for?” he asked. failing in your responsibilities – and, if our higher than paying 10 per cent towards BTPS they think about its planned pension changes are urged to do so wihout delay - as the members has already been reflected by large “The union’s already telling you this isn’t members did that, you’d sack them!” members’ future pensions when the industry larger the response the harder it will be for the company to sweep the anger of its entire turnouts at a series of special CWU members’ enough, so you already know our position!” average is around 15 per cent – that clearly workforce under the carpet. meetings across the country. The vehemence Turning to the BTPS, Jeff stressed members UNITED ACROSS THE UNION isn’t acceptable,” he concluded. V Responses can be as concise or blunt as you like; even a couple of sentences expressing of opposition to BT’s pension proposals would line up to “fight tooth and nail” to With the fight for decent pensions now exactly how you feel about what the company is planning will suffice. was, however, perhaps most graphically protect hard earned “deferred pay”. entering a critical phase in BT, CWU general More on Dave’s contribution at www.cwu.org/ Send your response to BT at [email protected] and copy in the CWU demonstrated at a special branch forum Openreach engineer Ian Harrington, a lay secretary Dave Ward has pledged that the news/united-across-union-bt-pensions/ at [email protected]. The closing date for responses is 17thJanuary 2018. Once you have done this please ask your work colleagues to also 'Tell BT No.' Members06 THE are VOICE also urged December to participate 2017 in a special confidential CWU Survey which can www.cwu.org @CWUNews December 2017 THE VOICE 07 be accessed at www.cwu.org/btpensions/ POSTAL National negotiations National negotiations POSTAL

CWU STRENGTH & UNITY GAINS PROGRESS ON EVERY PILLAR Continuing negotiations with Royal Mail have achieved significant progress on the big issue of pensions, and encouraging movement on pay and the working week...

PENSIONS PAY & THE SHORTER EXTENDING PIPELINE WORKING WEEK OUR AGREEMENTS The company had initially told employees that Back in March, Royal Mail unveiled a range The legal protections that were achieved in the The mediators’ pipeline recommendations the Royal Mail Pension Plan was to close to of attacks on our members’ pay, including the 2013 Agenda for Growth agreement provide are for negotiations to continue on the future accrual and that all members would introduction of a lower starting rate for new security in the way the company is structured, company’s proposals to move the last letter transfer to the inferior defined contribution recruits, the removal of many long-standing including the IR representative framework, time (LLT) back on delivery from the current scheme. allowances, a reduction in sick pay and other and prevent outsourcing of functions and specification of 3pm in urban areas and 4pm CWU put forward its Wage in Retirement detrimental changes. operations, which would break up Royal Mail rural to 3.30pm/ 4.30pm, in order to better (WinRS) proposal, under which all The business initially offered a Group. understand the impact on this for members. employees would be in the same pension consolidation-delayed £375 lump-sum (prpt) Extending these protections for a minimum Royal Mail has also linked the trial of scheme, providing a pension solution fair for for 2017/18, a 1.2 per cent base rate increase further five years from 2018 until 2023 has automated hours data capture (AHDC) and all. from April 2018, and a further productivity been the union’s position, and is considered trials of new indoor preparation methods in But the business responded by turning and performance-linked award, which essential for the job security of postal delivery offices to a one-hour reduction in the down the plan, arguing that it would be was also linked to agreement on the above workers today and in the future. working week, from October 2018. unaffordable and too risky and in their view, proposals. “This is an area where we have not made Outdoor secretary Mark Baulch explains they did not see it as the right way forward. These proposals were rejected by the union significant progress at this time,” reports that the current LLT position is an Following the 89.1 per cent strike ballot and, as our Four Pillars campaign gathered Terry. “The mediator recommended an improvement from Royal Mail’s original result, and the High Court decision to order momentum, the business withdrew their extension until 2019, but our view is that proposal, adding that initially Royal Mail external mediation, Royal Mail has gradually initial plans. this is nowhere near long enough and had wanted to shift LLT to 5pm. Pressure moved its position during these negotiations. In the course of the mediation process, they negotiations on this are continuing.” from members – with the massive ‘Yes’ ballot By December, the company has now tabled a revised offer of a £550 lump sum This strand of the negotiations also includes vote – moved the company’s position firstly to committed to work with the union (with the payment (prpt) for 2017/18 (consolidated in issues around the introduction of new 4pm and then to 3.30pm/4.30pm. support of both sides' respective pension April 2018) a 2 per cent base rate increase products and services and one of the ideas “Our position throughout these talks has advisors) and develop a single pension from April 2018, and a one-hour reduction in currently being discussed is the creation of been to better understand what changes are scheme for all employees which offers a the working week from October 2018 subject a new joint growth forum with additional necessary in the network in order for the genuine Wage in Retirement. to a number of conditions. investment funding from business to gain new parcel opportunity and The company has also agreed to introduce In her report, the mediator included her pay the company to support what aspect of the company’s proposals are the new scheme as quickly as possible recommendation for a consolidated 2.6 per developing and trialling of simply about cost reduction,” Mark explains. (subject to the statutory regulations being cent pay increase for 2017/18, followed by a 2 new products and services. “We have argued strongly that we want to put in place) and to discuss transitional per cent base rate increase from April 2018. “This still remains a long keep our members’ current working days arrangements (if such arrangements are “The employer’s position on pay has way from the union’s own attendance and delivery start and finish required) from April 2018. moved both in design and reward since their agenda for growth, and times to be as near to the same as now, or to In further talks, there has also been original proposals,” says Terry, but he adds we’ve urged the company move it earlier if possible,” he continues, but agreement reached on the future definition that the current offer, although materially to agree the extension adds that “the current proposal does accept for pensionable pay which will cover all improved, is still not sufficient. to our legal protections that there will be a range of work arrival basic pay and allowances with no lower “We recognise this was an improved offer, and to give this union times into delivery units and a range of LLTs earnings deduction. but it was still an unconsolidated deal, did the confidence to across the UK as is currently the case within Terry Pullinger tells The Voice : “This not flow through to other allowances and did work with them on existing agreements, with most deliveries represents huge progress on what, from not reflect current rises in the cost of living,” a genuine mutual planned to finish earlier than the LLT. the feedback from members, is the most he explains, adding that the union has not interest culture which “We need to work through the detail of this important of the Four Pillars. accepted either the company’s revised offer affords employees proposal and nothing is agreed at this stage.” “We have still not agreed either the or the mediator’s recommendation and that with employment, On AHDC, indoor secretary Davie transitional arrangements – should they be "more progress needs to be made on pay.” standard of living Robertson tells The Voice that "initially, required – or the contribution rates of the A commitment from the employer to the and retirement management had refused to sign up to the employer in any final new scheme which we principle of a 35-hour full-time working week security,” adds Terry. usual protections and conditions that we believe is fundamental to the targeted benefit has been achieved, but as yet there is no clear require and have always applied in the past outcomes. pathway beyond the one hour contained within with monitoring technology such as this. "There is still much to do before we reach an the current offer. TERRY PULLINGER "Keep your eyes “But, in the talks, the mediator recommended actual agreement rather than just a philosophical “We need to build on this commitment in EXPLAINS THE on the prize, stand that the business should offer the required one. principle to secure a path to have all full-time safeguards in future trials and this has now been PROGRESS THAT strong behind your "But to have moved from a straight ‘No’ to where duties based on a 35-hour week by a specified Terry Pullinger we are at this time is extremely encouraging.” date,” says our DGSP. HAS BEEN MADE union and we will win’ (Continued on page 10)

08 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @cwu December 2017 THE VOICE 09 NEWS Fundraising Telecoms & Financial Services INDUSTRY NEWS

Presents for refuge kids Verdict unclear on BT’s new PM approach is fundamentally unfair, the figures with some concern. number of employees placed “That said, even in those in the new ‘Work To Do’ rating lines of business, the higher needed to be a tiny fraction than expected numbers of from women’s generosity of the number hitherto placed ‘Work To Do’ ratings doesn’t in the bottom two former seem to be translating into FUNDRAISING categories that it effectively formal warnings. You could "NE Region women’s replaces. view that as some kind Remote-control cars, toy The result, however, has of success…but, given the committee voted to motorbikes, ‘pop-up’ houses BURNS HOWARD © been mixed. While in many of troublesome history of PM in and dinosaurs are among donate £300 to the BT Group’s smaller divisions BT, you can’t help but feel that the festive presents being refuge – what better the number of individuals in there might be something just unwrapped by children at York Does a better future beckon? the bottom ratings category round the corner that puts a Women’s Refuge thanks to the way to use the money has indeed shrunk significantly very different complexion on CWU’s North East women’s then to get gifts for PERFORMANCE RATINGS In October every member - to well under 5 per cent in things.” committee. everyone there?" of staff in BT was labelled most cases - in the largest two Dave stressed the BT Jean Sharrocks, the union’s The question as to whether ‘Brilliant’, ‘Good’ or ‘Work lines of business, Openreach negotiators with whom the Women’s Advisory Committee traumatic experiences and or not BT’s new approach to To Do’ under a new scoring and Consumer, the number CWU’s been dealing on chair, played Mother Christ- this time of year must be performance has succeeded system that has replaced has remained stubbornly high, the PM issue are similarly mas when she delivered particularly difficult for the in slaying, or at least reining the five former bandings - albeit down from previous perplexed by the figures and dozens of gifts to mums and children, so we hope these in, the company’s notoriously most notably the discredited excesses which have twice that both sides had agreed their children staying at York presents will at least bring a resilient performance ‘Development Needed’ brought the company to the further investigation was Women’s Refuge over the few smiles. management demons category. brink of an industrial action required, the outcome of festive period. “We’re proud to support this remains unanswered - Prior to the exercise ballot. which will be discussed at the Jean Sharrocks “The union’s North East charity and the fantastic work despite CWU hopes that the both company and union Assistant secretary Dave next scheduled meeting in Region women’s committee that they do for people in truly jointly agreed rollout of a new negotiators were in broad Jukes told The Voice: “Given we January. voted to donate £300 to the began life as York Women’s Yorkshire and for the past 10 desperate situations. BT-wide ratings system would agreement that, in order know there has been forced refuge, so we thought, what Aid run by volunteers in a two- years, this has also included “But as well as making provide a definitive ‘moment to shift deep-seated distribution of ratings in the Full story at www.cwu.org/news/ better way to use the money bedroom flat in the city over providing help to male victims donations, we also need to of truth’. perceptions that PM in BT past, we have to view these verdict than to get gifts for everyone 40 years ago. of abuse. be campaigning for better there?” She said. As well as refuges, IDAS As she set out on her special and more adequate public The centre is run by the also offers a range of services delivery, Jean told The Voice: funding from local and Independent Domestic Abuse – including a 24-hour helpline “The women and children central government for these Momentum builds in EE Services (IDAS) charity, which and Live Chat – across here have all been through essential services.” STRENGTH IN NUMBERS AS RECOGNITION BID LOOMS

A big new influx of members has been recorded at EE PIPELINE which can support our growth agenda.” following the latest round of ‘Access Days’ last month, Mark agrees that “the real issue is LAT, because further strengthening the CWU’s resolve to move towards (Continued from page 9) the parcels market is driving later and later. a formal claim for recognition at the BT-owned mobile giant “Letters and parcels are about 50/50 in terms of early in the New Year. conceded by the business,” he explains, adding that Royal Mail revenue generation at this time, but the Despite management obstruction in Merthyr Tydfil, where the company wants to start the trials at PRDC and trend has been and is set to continue moving in the access for CWU recruiters was denied following a previous Greenford, as well as at two delivery offices. direction of parcels and so that’s where we need the spat with local management - and an extraordinary Detailed discussions are continuing and operational pipeline to be focused towards going attempt to disrupt CWU leafleting by an Employee Forum agreement has not yet been reached on these two forward but not to the detriment of the service rep in Plymouth which prompted the union to lodge a formal Out and about across EE last month potential trials, but as has been the case elsewhere, Royal Mail currently provides.” complaint with BT - momentum is building in advance of an progress has been made. Other key issues being addressed in this part anticipated claim for recognition early in the New Year. period paid by EE. Both Mark and Davie have been pressing the of the negotiations include resourcing – where In a bid to maximise membership levels in advance of Assistant secretary John East told The Voice: “Every company on latest acceptance times (LATs), which Mark feels that the business has been “in denial” that claim being lodged all members across EE have now indication suggests that message is now really hitting home the union argues is essential for Royal Mail to about the problems, particularly in delivery – and been written to by the union urging them to ‘talk to 2’ non- - and, in a perverse way, the difficulties the union faced at capture more of the expanding, and revenue- future RDC/mail centre strategy, both in terms of members - explaining the role of the union and why the Merthyr Tydfil and Plymouth during last month’s Access Days generating, parcels market. catchment areas and also the rationalisation that securing of collective bargaining rights holds out the best have reinforced the point that the CWU is trying to make “Currently, our LAT is 6pm, while competitor has taken place over recent years. Davie reports that hope of positive change for employees across EE. that independent unions provide protections and a voice for companies offer 10pm and even midnight,” we are looking to secure commitments that there Reinforcing that argument, the CWU has produced a workers that employee forums simply can’t.“ Davie points out “and so we’re working with will be no further rationalisation plans from the detailed leaflet contrasting negotiated pay rises in BT since the business on a new LAT product offering business for the coming period. 2010 with the consistently lower rises during the same Full story at www.cwu.org/news/momentum-builds

10 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @CWUNews December 2017 THE VOICE 11 INDUSTRY NEWS Postal Postal INDUSTRY NEWS

Government pressed on Post Office funding Compensation win for injured member Freedom of Information Act Feeling aggrieved, he POST OFFICE FINANCES Royal Mail privatisation and it was greatest urgency,” Andy continued. request, cleared him of blame turned to the union, and the further enshrined in legislation,” Dave Ward told The Voice that, and criticised the company for matter was raised to branch A strongly worded reminder has he explained. as well as calling for the financial ineffective guarding. and then national level, where been sent to Government Minister “Therefore, it’s incumbent on the settlement to be dealt with, he had However, on his return national health, safety and Margot James urging her to secure Government, as the custodian of also raised with Ms James the growing to work, Michael was given environment officer Dave sufficient future funding for the Post this vital service, to ensure that it need for a Post Bank to be set up attendance and conduct Joyce took up his case. Office network, after last is sufficiently funded throughout the Post Office network. warnings by Parcelforce. “Dave’s findings were that a month’s Budget failed to across the UK.” “The Government must take its serious miscarriage of justice address the issue. Current arrange- responsibilities seriously here,” said had taken place, and he “We were ments, which were Dave. spoke on my behalf to senior surprised and set in place in 2013, “If our Prime Minister means what management,” continues disappointed that are due to expire at she tells us about wanting to create £22,800 Michael, adding that, thanks Chancellor Philip the end of March a ‘country that works for everyone’, THE SETTLEMENT to the intervention of the CWU Hammond failed 2018 and the union then she must settle the Post Office’s Michael's hand injury AWARDED TO and the support of Unionline, to mention is determined to budget arrangements without delay MR TATTERTON his warning was reduced the Post secure Govern- and also take the opportunity to make INDUSTRIAL INJURY Parcelforce in 2016, when a by half and he also won a Office funding ment funding a real difference in the fight against rotating conveyor belt trapped “Even though I gave them a £22,800 financial settlement settlement beyond that date. financial exclusion by setting up the “I would never have got justice and crushed his hand and also copy of the inspector’s report, to compensate for his injury either in his keynote “I’ve written to publicly-owned Post Bank that the if it hadn’t been for the CWU,” caused serious friction burn. and his reasoning why I was and associated issues. presentation to the the Post Office chief people of the UK need. says Michael Tatterton, a A Health & Safety Executive not to blame, the warnings “I certainly would not have House or in his projected executive Paula Vennells and “With a nationwide branch Parcelforce worker, who was investigation, a copy of stayed the same,” he told achieved any of this without economic programme,” said CWU our general secretary Dave Ward network bigger than every other injured on duty at York LD which he received through a The Voice. the union,” Michael concludes. assistant secretary Andy Furey. has also written to Margot James, bank combined, the Post Office is the “Keeping the Post Office in public the Government Minister with ideal vehicle for this and we need the ownership was something that was responsibility for the Post Office, Government to take this on board and promised to the nation at the time of insisting that this is resolved with the move from words to action,” he insisted. Backing for anti-violence charity Healthy Minds Matter AWARENESS EVENT details,” Sammi added, the Staffordshire Women’s and praised the work of Aid Centre and secured a Mental health pocket z-cards IR framework proposals spark serious concerns Members at Stoke Customer the branch women’s officer £50 branch donation to the setting out key practical steps Services Centre marked Stephanie Johnsons and campaign. that workers can take to seek UNION REPRESENTATION “When CEIRF was employees and it’s vitally procedure was invoked and White Ribbon Day 2017 on-site IR rep Janice Yates “The day was a huge early help for themselves or introduced in 2015, this important that members the matter was reported to by putting up leaflets in supporting and promoting success with CWU members, colleagues have been sent An unprecedented attack on reduced the rep structure are able to access decent ACAS. and posters around the White Ribbon Day. site staff and management out to Royal Mail workplaces CWU recognition within the from 29 to 19 and now the representation as and when The growing opposition workplace, and fundraising fully getting behind this day of around the country in an Post Office is being resisted by Post Office is mounting they need it,” Andy explained. forced the company to for women’s charities, reports action against domestic and initiative supported by the the union, following a prompt a further attack on our The issue was reported to concede a two-month Sammi Craig, the lead union sexual violence,” concluded business and the union. escalation to arbitration members’ right to be the CWU Postal Executive and moratorium on any changes, learning rep for Midland No7 Sammi. CWU national health, safety service ACAS. represented,” explains to a national briefing of reps pending the outcome of Branch. £158 and environment officer Dave The company had shocked assistant secretary Andy and branch secretaries, the further ACAS-supervised talks “The White Ribbon RAISED BY WORKPLACE Joyce says: “Preventative the workforce by unveiling Furey. collective dispute resolution early in the New Year. Campaign UK is part of a RAFFLE FOR LOCAL action and early intervention plans to cut the number of While the union recognises global movement to put WOMEN'S AID CENTRE are the most effective ways to CWU reps in the business that total numbers of CWU- a stop to violence against support mental health and the to just three for the whole of grade staff have reduced, women and girls,” she Explaining why the z-card reminds us all to ACT.” the UK – in an alarming step cutting rep numbers down explains, adding that the campaign is so important to Acknowledge – If you or that the union described as a to just three is extremely materials that were put up in her, Janice said: “Violence someone else close to you isn’t “precursor to derecognition.” disproportionate and is the office aimed to highlight against women is still all their usual self Post Office bosses "designed to destabilise the signs of domestic too common in our society. Communicate – Speak to unilaterally served notice the union as a precursor to violence to be aware of and We need to take a stand someone or encourage your on the agreed Collective derecognition,” he adds. the importance of talking for victims of domestic colleague to talk Engagement and Industrial The union accepts the about this difficult and and sexual abuse and Take action – Find out about Relations Framework need for change in the sensitive issue. it is imperative we also the support that’s available or Agreement (CEIRF), under circumstances – but insists “We also provided encourage others to do the encourage your colleague to which there have been 19 that it must be both agreed information about local same.” do so. representatives looking and proportionate. domestic violence helplines, Janice and Stephanie after the interests of CWU “There are still over 3,000 VIEW VIDEO UPDATE HERE charities and support organised a raffle on the For further information, contact members across the network. CWU-grade Post Office Andy Furey briefing reps organisations and contact day, which raised £158 for Stephanie (left) and Janice your CWU unit or area safety rep

12 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @CWUNews December 2017 THE VOICE 13 FEATURE CWU in politics 2017 CWU in politics 2018 SECTION

WE’RE SHIFTING POLITICS TO A WORKING-CLASS AGENDA

rexit dominated politics in Dave Ward party, supporting its activities and helping Kate Hudson, Midland Region Secretary Paul Moffatt, Eastern Region Secretary 2017, but 2018 must be the year to give it direction.” of a New Deal for Workers, Andy Kerr, our deputy general secretary insisted our general secretary for the union’s T&FS constituency, spoke Dave Ward after the CWU’s about his role on the Labour Party’s Bnational political event in Birmingham. national executive committee (NEC), of Regional secretaries, branch secretaries which he is currently the vice-chair. and political officers gathered at the Andy has also been tasked with a major nation’s second city to hear reports of role in the party’s democracy review, this year’s political work and discuss which is, he explained, aimed at moving and debate how we are going to take this the party further in the direction of being forward over the next 12 months, against a “bottom-up” organisation and away the background of a rapidly shifting from its previous “top-down” approach to political environment. policy development, decision-making and “In the two years since I was elected as campaigning. general secretary, we’ve had two general “It’s all about bringing the party back Maria Exall, CWU representative on TULO elections, a referendum and two Labour to its members and it was a brave move leadership elections,” Dave began as he LIVE INTERACTIVE SESSION by Jeremy Corbyn to set this up,” he opened proceedings. WITH GENERAL SECRETARY said, adding that the NEC would also “In 2015, it was clear that we needed DAVE WARD ON THE CWU’S encourage all local constituency parties fundamental change in the Labour Party POLITICAL WORK to urge all new Labour Party members to – the party had lost its way, had moved join trade unions, stressing: “We need to away from representing working-class unionise these people, just as we also need people and had become like a machine.” to encourage more trade union members The CWU’s decision to be the first union to join the Labour Party.” to come out in support of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership bid had been completely whole subject of the world of work. our everyday work all the year round.” WORKING TOGETHER IN TULO vindicated by subsequent developments, “This has all been driven by a new Senior deputy general secretary Tony The final speaker of the day was Maria he continued, adding: “We were clear approach to our political work and we Kearns spoke about the CWU’s affiliation Exall, an officer of our union’s Greater

that Jeremy’s transformative policies are looking to drive forward engagement to the Labour Party’s activist organisation London Combined Branch and also the CREDIT PIC were exactly what was needed to make of our membership at all levels of the Momentum, which played a major role CWU’s representative on the Labour Party Labour a campaigning party and a mass CWU,” he said and cited the success of our in turning out the vote during the June Trade Union Liaison Organisation (TULO). movement once again.” union’s New Deal for Workers proposals, election campaign. “The political centre of gravity has and the need for the union’s regions to don’t need to be a political officer to be along with the “four-point plan for With hundreds of thousands of new shifted and we’re getting our act together develop their own political campaign interested in politics. Politics is in every CORBYN THE 'ANTIDOTE' action,” which won the support of both Labour Party members around the as TULO,” she began, and explained that, plans taking into account the different day at the workplace.” When he announced the CWU executive’s the TUC and Labour Party Conference country, of whom tens of thousands have in this changed political environment it is shape of politics. After the speeches and the audience decision to formally endorse Jeremy for and will be the theme for a major national also joined Momentum, there is a range of essential that the Labour Party-affiliated Paul Moffat and Kevin Beazer, from discussion, delegates participated leader, our general secretary memorably demonstration that the TUC is organising views and experiences within this vibrant trade unions ensure that the positive our Eastern and South West regions enthusiastically in a live facebook Q&A said we needed an antidote to the ideology in May. network. policy commitments are fully carried respectively, pointed to the significant session, which has now had nearly 9,000 dominating the party at that time. During the 18 months since the EU During the debate in Birmingham, through when the party takes office. advances being made in areas that have views and indicated the high level of The CWU was also the first union to referendum, much of UK political debate several CWU branch representatives spoke “It will be up to us to make sure our previously been very difficult for Labour, interest in the union’s political work, and stand by Jeremy Corbyn when he faced has also been overshadowed by the about some different experiences with friends in the party carry out these policy while Carl Webb and Paul Clays told the the forthcoming events planned for 2018. a leadership challenge in Parliament, ongoing Brexit issue, but Dave made the Momentum locally. Tony Kearns made the commitments, because there will be audience of their work consolidating And in his closing comments, Dave leading the fightback which eventually point that this must not be allowed to point that our union’s formal affiliation to strong countervailing pressures on support for the union’s policies among Ward thanked everyone for attending, and won him a second internal election with crowd out all of the vitally important this organisation is an important part of them,” Maria pointed out, going on the many Labour MPs in the party’s urged everyone to focus on the New Deal an increased majority. domestic issues that the Labour Party and our wider agenda for Labour and gives us to make some wider points about the traditional North West and North East for Workers campaign, particularly the The union’s wider political strategy has trade union movement must focus on in a seat on its national committee which we work of TULO, its activities around the heartlands. national TUC demonstration planned for been based on connecting our political the coming period. are able to use to influence its direction. regions and localities and the growing May 12th. and industrial agendas, Dave continued, “We need to make 2018 the year that alignment between the party’s political LIVELY DISCUSSION FROM FLOOR “The CWU’s in a good place, although explaining that, as well as winning key we engage seriously in the fight for a New EXCITING TIME IN UK POLITICS and industrial wings. Gary Watkins highlighted the positive there’s a lot of work to do – we all know election manifesto commitments on Deal for Workers,” he insisted. “This is the most exciting time in politics Plenty of time was set aside for achievements of the party, leading the that,” he said. specific postal and telecom industry “The balance of forces has changed, that I have known,” he said. “The Labour debate from the floor to discuss our devolved administration in Wales and “And through our campaigning in the issues – which had proved very popular but we still have a lot of work to do,” party is the largest and fastest-growing political work, and the audience heard the host regional secretary, Kate Hudson, coming year on the world of work, we with the voting public in June’s general Dave told the audience, urging: “We political party in Western Europe and contributions from all regions of the spoke in more general terms about the can build a platform for real political election – the union’s focused political need to be more assertive – let’s work it’s right that we, as a union, are closely country. Contributions covered the need to involve more and more of our change across our movement and across work had also brought to the fore the together to make our political link part of involved with the most vibrant part of the general political situation in the country members in political activity, saying: “You workplaces.”

14 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @cwu December 2017 THE VOICE 15 CAMPAIGNS Close the Gap CLOSE THE GAP TOUR VIDEO Close ROUND-UP: the Gap MEMBERS CAMPAIGNS EXPLAIN WHAT UNEQUAL TREATMENT MEANS TO THEM

of newspapers picturing him signing the in response to the Taylor Review into CWU’s Close the Gap petition. exploitative employment practices that Close the Gap Just hours earlier Lincoln MP Karen Lee would close the legal loophole in the UK delivered an equally blunt message outside Agency Regulations that allows the unequal tours the nation BT’s Lincoln call centre telling reporters "it’s pay rates that Manpower and BT are absolutely wrong that people are doing the currently operating. same job and getting a different rate of pay.” Speaking just after the Close the Gap Three weeks of ‘on-the-road’ Assistant secretary Sally Bridge told The campaigning tour reached its crescendo Voice: “Politicians are literally queuing up to in Liverpool and Portadown – where NI CWU campaigning to highlight get involved – clearly moved to do so by the Manpower members conducting vital 999 the second class treatment of blatant injustice, unfairness and immorality work are paid well under the Real Living of the situation our Manpower members Wage – Sally concluded: “We’ve travelled Manpower employees working find themselves in. the length and breadth of the country, in BT call centres has delivered “Apart from the MPs who turned up engaging with our membership face-to- at our protests, completely unprompted face but also through social media, and the the strongest possible message by CWU headquarters, we’ve received extent to which both our Manpower and BT that it isn’t just agency staff who messages of support from prominent front members wholeheartedly support the key benchers including Angela Rayner and Tom aims of the Close the Gap campaign could not are appalled at the travesty of Watson as well as Dennis Skinner and now have been clearer. unequal pay for identical work. Jeremy Corbyn himself. “Both groups of members are appalled “MPs see this as a real-life story they that agency members on the BT account are With directly employed staff want to get involved in – and the political being paid less than the Real Living Wage rallying to support their Manpower 16 sites before reaching its crescendo at Portadown and Liverpool reporters: “It is simply unacceptable that phase of our campaign will now develop – but they also passionately believe there on November 23 – have been surprised at the speed with which people who are working for a company, but quickly.“ (See www.cwu.org for coverage should be no room for exploitative PBA colleagues – and politicians the union’s latest agency campaign has caught the imagination of are not employed by a company, can be paid of a Westminster event that took place on contracts and the unequal pay rates that already lining up to condemn a not just members but also a wider audience – in part because of an less. It’s inequality and it’s discriminatory.” December 19, the day after this magazine stem from them in the 21st Century. explosion of interest on social media. Matt Kerr added: “A company like BT went to press.) “With the Labour Party already blatant injustice – Simon Alford Day one provided the first hint of what was to follow. Coming just is perfectly capable of coming up with the Pressure is also building on the on board, and even two Government reports on a groundswell of anger 24 hours after the Living Wage Foundation upwardly revised the money to pay people a decent living wage.” Government from within its own ranks, select committees now apparently reach- that will be hard to ignore hourly rate it believes is the minimum required outside London for Footage and photos of Richard Leonard with the cross-party Work and Pensions ing the conclusion that the Swedish a decent quality of life to £8.75, the poignant and widely tweeted at the CWU protest got an even wider and Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy Derogation is a travesty, BT and Man- and re-tweeted message from Doncaster, where many Manpower airing when his leadership victory was committees – both of which have an inbuilt power need to do the right thing before f BT or Manpower ever doubted the strength of feeling about members earn just £7.50 an hour, was announced on November 18, with a number Tory majority – both proposing legislation they are forced to do so.” unequal pay levels stemming from the use of so-called ‘Pay ‘…AND THAT GAP JUST GOT BIGGER!” Between Assignment’ (PBA) agency contracts on the BT account, they aren’t under any illusion now! UNSTOPPABLE MOMENTUM Just three months after the CWU launched its fourth agency When issues trend on social media, traditional news outlets take Outpouring of emotion Icampaign in less than a decade – serving notice that the union’s notice – and, combined with Edinburgh, Dundee and Borders patience has finally snapped with regards to poverty pay rates that branch’s diligent work with its own media contacts, the next During the Close the Gap tour thousands of Manpower and BT employees signed a CWU petition continue to be applied to almost 2,000 agency workers at BT sites day’s event, outside BT’s Dundee call centre, saw a media scrum demanding action to tackle unequal pay at the 16 sites visited - and now the petition is being extended to a across the country – a clear message has been delivered to both descending on a protest which was supported by local Labour wider audience for the political phase of the campaign. Those who have not already signed it are urged to companies that the long-running travesty of unequal treatment councillors and the local trades council and a delegation from the do so immediately at www.cwu.org/CTGpetition/. Throughout the tour dozens of members delivered their simply HAS to end. Fire Brigades Union. own poignant verdicts on the unfairness of unequal pay in video interviews - all of which can be viewed in a Seven years after the union’s iconic Euro-trashed campaign Combined with a simultaneous CWU protest at the opposite end round-up at www.cwu.org/campaign/close-the-gap/. Here, however, is a taster of what they had to say: briefly appeared to have secured the ‘holy grail’ of equal treatment of the country in Truro, a social media buzz was taking hold – fed by Connor Williamson, Lee Azzopardi, Danielle Culshaw, on pay for agency workers, frustration has long been building at the posting of videos from each event on all the union’s social media South Shields Gosforth Warrington the relentless whittling away of a historic victory that has been channels. By the time this magazine went to press those videos had “It makes you feel “My message to BT and “It’s very hard even comprehensively undermined by stealth. collectively received more than 40,000 ‘start to end’ views – and that underprivileged. If I Manpower is that they affording transport Today less than 70 Manpower employees working for BT still number is still growing. (The videos are still playing at was on a BT contract need to sort this out. I into work. A weekly bus I could afford a car, I was on the lesser rate of ticket is around £14 and benefit from the equal pay for agency workers that was briefly www.cwu.org/campaign/close-the-gap/) could afford rent - I’d be able to live pay for three years and I can remember that’s a lot when you’re only earning almost universal before the recruitment industry seized upon legal By day three of the Close the Gap tour, national politicians were comfortably - and that’s irritating living from day to day, constantly £7.50 per hour. It’s really hard to get by, loopholes in the Coalition Government’s cynical interpretation of starting to get involved, with Kate Hollern MP joining the CWU because I do exactly the same job.” struggling with living costs.” even to survive.” the EU’s Temporary Agency Workers Directive – using the so called outside BT’s Blackburn call centre. Swedish Derogation (exemption) to reinvent the very injustice EU The Blackburn MP, who pledged to write to BT to express her Matthew Brown, Truro Iain Watt, Sean McCann, “It's incredibly unfair that Dundee Canterbury lawmakers had sought to eradicate. outrage at unequal pay, was quickly followed by the new Scottish some of my colleagues “It’s downgrading, “I’ve got a small daughter Since then anger has been steadily mounting amongst the ever- Labour leader, Richard Leonard, who joined the Glasgow protest are paid up to £7,000 a demoralising and hard to and my partner doesn’t increasing number of PBA contract Manpower employees in BT call alongside CWU member and Glasgow Labour Councillor Matt Kerr year less for the same motivate yourself to work work with my daughter centres who simply can’t understand why they are paid far less than who all but eradicated a 9,000 SNP majority in the Glasgow South job. When I was agency as well as you can when being so young, so being their BT contract counterparts for doing exactly the same work. West parliamentary constituency in May’s General Election. I was earning around £13,000 but now you know someone sitting next to you, an employee of Manpower is difficult. I’m BT it’s closer to £20,000 - that’s the doing an identical job, is getting nearly We can’t afford to do any of the normal Yet even organisers of the union’s Close the Gap tour – which Speaking outside BT’s Alexander Bain House site just days difference between existing and living.” double the pay.” things a family should be able to do.” kicked off in Doncaster on November 7 – visiting no fewer than before his leadership election victory was confirmed, Richard told

16 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @cwu December 2017 THE VOICE 17 INDUSTRY NEWS Postal Postal INDUSTRY NEWS

Fears grow that the law is going soft on dog attacks Snapping success Remembering Alan Tuffin bitten through the letter both “bizarre” and “most “This is now starting to look TRIBUTES TO FORMER GS over many years to the box while delivering mail in unsatisfactory” – while Suffolk like a developing trend – and it UCW, its predecessor February, as did Gavin Murrell, Police decided not to bring to makes me wonder if the law is Tributes have been paid unions and to the wider in Ipswich a couple of months court the owner of the dog that going soft on dog attacks.” to former UCW general trade union movement,” later. attacked Mr Murrell and closed “It’s good to win secretary Alan Tuffin who recalls CWU general Cornwall postwoman Claire the matter with a ‘community compensation payments for passed away on Friday secretary Dave Ward. Stayner was seriously injured resolution’. our members and it’s also November 10 at the age of 85. “He was a highly in Newquay, and Sharron Complaints about what good that we now have the Alan first joined the respected trade unionist of Singer was mauled by two was widely perceived as law on our side in regard to Post Office as a telegraph conviction and I know that dogs while on duty in Boston, a “too lenient” sentence in attacks that take place on messenger boy in London in he will be greatly missed by Lincolnshire in July. the Ms Singer case were private property – but if lenient 1950 and worked as a postal his friends and colleagues in “But in each of these cases, reported in our last edition sentencing becomes the Tim El-Shawk's winning entry and telegraph officer on Post the union and wider labour the dogs remained with the and an appeal to the Crown norm, this might make police Office Counters after a short movement. owners and either a lenient Prosecution Service is being forces reluctant to institute PHOTO COMPETITION Magazine - told The Voice: “I’m time as a postman. Apart “At this sad time our DANGEROUS DOGS sentence or no sentence at all pursued in response to that proceedings. very humbled to have won this. from National Service in the thoughts are of course with was passed,” Dave tells The verdict. An appeal is also under “That’s why we’re determined Gloucestershire postman Tim It’s a great competition - there Royal Airforce he spent his Alan’s wife Jean and their “Are the courts and police Voice, adding: “In none of these consideration with regard to Ms to pursue case reviews and El-Shawk has scooped top are always some fantastic whole working life in the Post family.” going soft on dog attack cases was there any sanction Stayner’s ordeal. to keep the pressure on prize in the CWU education images submitted, which Office and with the union. crimes?” Asks CWU national as to future dog ownership.” "The cases may go to the relevant authorities to & training department’s made it especially surprising Alan was elected to the health, safety and environment In the case of Mr Kelly, a judicial review if the reconsider lenient sentences annual digital photography that I actually won!” Executive Council of the UPW officer Dave Joyce, after the prosecution collapsed courts refuse to review – there must be a clear competition with a stunning Education and training (as it then was) in 1966 and a number of lenient court altogether when the the unduly lenient deterrent for this small minority image of a waterfall in full flow. department national project became a full-time officer sentences and failures to judge directed the jury to sentences which fail of irresponsible owners,” he One of 14 finalists selected manager Paul Dovey of the union in 1969. He was prosecute owners of dogs that a ‘not guilty’ verdict – a to meet mandatory concluded. from scores of entrants, Tim concludes: “Tim has been elected as deputy general have injured postal workers. decision described sentencing emerged triumphant after a regular participant in the secretary in 1979 and then Liverpool postman Steve by the national guidelines," said Full story at www.cwu.org/news/ his photo was singled out in competition over the years as general secretary of the Kelly lost a finger after being officer as Dave Joyce Dave. serious a national pol of members and has shared some lovely UCW in 1982. visiting an online gallery of the images with us over that time. “Alan retired in 1993 having shortlisted entries. His entry this year immediately made a huge contribution Alan Tuffin (centre) The Gloucestershire Amal caught the eye of the branch member, who wins competition shortlisters with A warm welcome £200 for his achievement its wonderful composition and 3★AA - as well as the kudos of sense of movement. CWU Death Benefit awaits you at the knowing his photographic “There were some fantastic skills were pitted against images submitted this year In accordance with CWU Rule 4.1.11, the CWU Death Benefit CWU's own hotel previous competition winners, and the fact the winner was payment increased to £790 from October 1, 2017. Bournemouth including Durham postman selected by public vote was Dave Gibbon whose highly a relief, as it saved the team Any enquiries should be addressed to the senior deputy acclaimed work has recently from having to make an general secretary’s department on telephone number 020 appeared in the BBC Wildlife exceptionally difficult decision!” 8971 7237, or emailed to [email protected].

Did you know that the CWU has a thriving CWU DIARIES 2018 retired members' section that campaigns on The great value CWU 2018 diaries are now available for the issues that matter to pensioners? AUTUMN & WINTER BREAKS AT THE ELSTEAD dispatch. Special Rates for all CWU members from £44.00 b&b per person per night Barring workplace representation, retired members enjoy all the Simply send your order to: Marcia Murray, CWU, 150 The benefits of ordinary membership including free expert legal advice if required. Subs, 4 for 3 Midweek breaks from £132 per person • Great Bar Food, or have a 3 Course Dinner at £15 pppn extra Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1RX which stand at £1.35 per week or £5.84 per Please make sure you enclose a cheque or postal order month for those contributing to the political Great Indoor Leisure Facilities • Fabulous Food and Fantastic Service fund (£1.15 weekly or £4.97 monthly for those made payable to 'CWU Diaries'. contracted-out), also mean you'll continue to WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? BOOK NOW! Enquiries to Marcia Murray receive The Voice in addition to a designated Quote ‘Voice’ when booking WE ARE A LIVING WAGE EMPLOYER on 020 8971 7497 or magazine for retired members – The Link. [email protected] For more information please call 0800 T: 01202 293071 F: 01202 293827 E: [email protected] W: the-elstead.co.uk 731 7434 or email [email protected] POCKET DIARY £1.50 DESK DIARY 18 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @CWUNews SOLD OUT NEWS General Telecoms & Financial Services INDUSTRY NEWS

Bread and Roses - the art of struggle! Targeting 100% after Action Month news NEW AWARD LAUNCHED in the power of songwriting to get a by February 2, 2018. GOING FOR GROWTH poignant message across, as well as the Launching the union’s new partnership in brief The CWU has linked up with ‘Culture importance of promoting working class with Culture Matters, Dave explains: “The The CWU’s annual month- FUJITSU PAY UP AGAIN Matters’ - a collective of writers and culture more widely - will be part of the arts and culture generally are vital to the long focus on organising Most CWU members in Fujitsu activists who believe that culture is a vital panel judging entries, which labour movement, and working class and recruitment across the have received their second part of the struggle for a better society - need to have communities across the country. telecoms and financial services pay rise in three months to launch a new national songwriting and been submitted “Good access to the arts, sports (T&FS) sector netted more thanks to the union’s success spoken word award. and other cultural activities are than 300 new members during in persuading the company The new ‘Bread and Roses’ award aims part of the social wage. State October - thanks to a hive of to top up the 1.75 per cent to encourage artistic expression and the support needs to be rebalanced activity by branches across the increase paid out in August to creation of material that is meaningful so that working people country. the revised Real Living Wage and relevant to working class people and everywhere can enjoy cheap, Now the on-going drive to of £8.75 per hour. communities - and, in turn, to encourage accessible and good quality maximise membership levels Full story at www.cwu.org/news/ those communities to engage more with provision. across the T&FS sector shifts second-pay-rise songwriting and the spoken word. “We’re sponsoring this Award to a new constituency-wide ------Five cash prizes of £100 are up for because we want to encourage ‘Target 100’ campaign that will SECURITY AT AIRWAVE grabs for those submitting material which our members in the CWU, and launch in earnest in January. Further delays to the rollout of deals with any aspect of working class working people everywhere, to The aim is to identify, the new emergency services life and shows commitment to common express themselves creatively approach and sign up any All out for recruitment network system which will people and the common good. on themes that matter to CWU-represented grade ultimately replace the current Thanks to sponsorship from the them as workers. employees who are not already Andy Kerr explains: “The simple while netting fewer than radio wave-based Tetra CWU’s North West Regional Learning “So get writing and get performing, and in membership for whatever truth is that the more members the 500-plus new members network mean that, contrary Committee, the first 100 entries from send your entries in!” reason - the special focus on we have in any given business who joined as a direct result to earlier fears, members in CWU members will be exempted from recognised workplaces being the more we can deliver for of Action Month events last Airwave enter the New Year the normal £5 entry fee. driven by the fact that all everyone - so the recruitment year, demonstrated a growing with no immediate threat to To find out more visit www.cwu.org/news/ CWU general secretary Dave Ward bread-roses-songwriting-spoken-word- employees in those companies of the ‘missing members’ that awareness on the part of the work they do. - who has always been interested Reach for the stars and get your entries in award/ benefit from the union’s undoubtedly exist in every branches of the importance of Full story at www.cwu.org/news/ collective bargaining successes. single company in which we keeping on top of the on-going secure-for-now-at-airwave/ Those successes, after all, are have recognition is vitally recruitment challenge on a ------directly related to the union’s important.” year-round basis. CELEBRATING FRED negotiating strength that is, Andy stressed he hoped The widow of much-loved in turn, largely determined by the initiative would build Full story and more on October’s former CWU NEC and T&FS membership strength. on the success of October’s Action Month events at www.cwu. Executive member Fred Are we holding Deputy general secretary Action Month activities which, org/news/targeting-100 Simpson has told of her something precious profound gratitude for the SOLIDARITY love and support shown by the SPEAKING OUT AGAINST CWU family during and after for you? SolidarityWITH SANTANDER with SantanderSANTANDER USA’S workers UNION-BUSTING in America Fred’s battle with pancreatic WORKERS IN AMERICA cancer. Many of his friends As a Post Office or Royal Mail employee, it’s possible you hold a Post Office Insurance Society (POIS) savings plan with us. Maybe UNION BUSTING SCANDAL One of the US workers between CWA activists and from the CWU gathered to pay you’ve forgotten all about it, or simply haven’t checked it for a while? at the meeting had been their CWU counterparts - the their respects and, above all, Perhaps you believe a loved one that has passed away had a plan? The CWU has delivered an sacked as a direct result of intention being to showcase to celebrate the life of a man unequivocal message of her Communication Workers the positive approach shown who touched many hearts. Whatever the reason, it’s worth getting in touch. We’ll tell you Full story at www.cwu.org/news/ whether there is a plan with us, how much is in it and ensure all solidarity to trade unionists at of America (CWA) union to unions by Santander in the celebrating-life-fred your details are up to date. We can even remind you of all the Santander in America who are activities, and the others told of UK, and across much of the Member Benefits you are entitled to. battling for basic union rights a climate of fear that is being rest of the world, to workers ------in the face of blatant union- systematically orchestrated by in America so they can fully BRAVING THE SHAVE For more information call: busting activity by the bank’s management in a bid to deter appreciate how out-of-sync Portsmouth, West Sussex & 0800 101 8311 or visit American bosses. employees from seeking trade Santander USA’s management Isle of Wight branch women’s Last month CWU union representation. is with prevailing management officer, Georgie Davidson, is www.pois.co.uk representatives from Bootle, Speaking after the meeting practices elsewhere. braced for a chillier January Leicester and Bradford heard deputy general secretary Andy than normal having sacrificed POIS is not part of the Post Office or Royal Mail plc. POIS is a part of Foresters Friendly Society harrowing first-hand accounts Kerr pledged the CWU’s total her flowing locks to benefit which is the trading name of The Ancient Order of Foresters Friendly Society Limited which is an Full story and video at www.cwu. Incorporated Friendly Society (Registration No. 511F) and is authorised by the Prudential Regulation of the depths to which the support for CWA’s attempts org/news/solidarity-santander two charities helping cancer Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Registration No. 110029). company’s US division has to organise on behalf of patients and their families. See report on developments at 506/2017/ADONE/09/17 plunged to keep unions out of Santander’s US workforce. Full story at www.cwu.org/news/ Santander’s ‘bans’ and Swiss North America’s entirely un- That support will take the Post at www.cwu.org/news/ double-boost unionised banking sector. form of an on-going dialogue santander

20 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @CWUNews December 2017 THE VOICE 21 EQUALITIES Reports Reports EQUALITIES

Black Workers, Women, LGBT and Disabled members gathered in Bristol last month for the union’s equality conferences to debate and decide motions EQUALITIES CONFERENCES covering equality issues at work, in wider society and within the CWU...

eneral secretary Dave Ward work they do across each of our businesses and make sure it’s central to everything She attacked those committing sexual union, you join a family – and like all gave detailed speeches to and functions,” he told The Voice. we do,” Dave added. harassment in the workplace, praised the families, sometimes they fall out,” each event, emphasising “The debates and guest speakers were “As I stated at each of the events, trade CWU’s anti-racist campaigning, expressed she said. that increasing the union’s thought-provoking, and the individual unions are the organisations to bridge all her pride at our close involvement in LGBT “But, as Royal Mail and other employers Gcommitment to equality on all fronts accounts from delegates of how equality of the divides in society and a union that solidarity and celebration events and have found out, when a family comes is a key objective of the Re-design challenges in the workplace are being fully reflects its gender and diversity is a highlighted the ongoing need to ensure under attack, they all stand together to project, which is gathering pace recognised, tackled and overcome were stronger union for all.” that reasonable workplace adjustments are resist and to fight back.” throughout the CWU. inspiring. In her speeches, CWU national equality made for workers with disabilities. “I’ve enjoyed visiting this year’s forums, “And we’re now well into the big debate officer Linda also stressed the need for the On the CWU’s proud traditions of open Full reports from the four conferences can meeting some fantastic activists and I’ve about how we, together, are going to union to ensure that the re-design process debate and unity in action, Linda said: be read here: www.cwu.org/news-and- come away extremely impressed by the improve equality right across this union advanced the cause of equality. “When you become a member of this activity/conferences/

WOMEN’S CONFERENCE LGBT CONFERENCE a good year for trans women. DISABILITY There's a hell of a long way omen’s CONFERENCE inning equal to go - trans women are at the Conference rights for bottom of the barrel." experienced its n his opening speech Northern Maria Exall, from Greater first-ever card to the Disability Ireland's London Combined Branch, Wvote and attracted a record number Conference, advisory Wlesbian, gay, bisexual and trans told Conference: "It's vitally of delegates, with first-time committee chair community was top of the important that we stand conference speaker Holly Bate ITony Sneddon told the agenda at LGBT Conference. together as L, G, B and T in making history, when the vote on fascinating story of a 1912 First motion of the day, defence of our rights and the motion she moved – calling strike in Bristol organised moved by Cathy Chilcott of with our straight brothers for branch equality audits – was so close that the procedure was by the National League Bristol & District Amal Branch, and sisters, changing our invoked. of the Blind – “the first noted that "Northern Ireland in Northern Ireland," Cathy union to "campaign to ensure workplaces and our society," Holly explained that the intention was to assist branch women’s organisation of disabled is the only part of the UK urged. Greater Manchester that trans women are not as she moved another officers – and other equality officers – “to secure the financial workers, whose principle and Ireland where same-sex Combined Branch delegate discriminated against, both in motion aimed at fighting resources to visit branches, start campaigns, or visit members across was 'justice not charity'.” marriage is still banned." Tara Morgan introduced their daily lives and political discrimination against trans their branch area” and an annual “equality audit would show the Tony told Conference that in today's society, it was vital The CWU must "continue up the next proposition, which activity." people, which set out four amount of equality activity within a branch and give clear data to for workers with disabilities to fight to protect the rights to defend existing equalities described attempts to exclude Tara talked further about key points of principle for address any non-engagement.” that these early pioneers of the struggle fought for and legislation across the UK and trans women from women's the difficulties faced by a CWU submission to the Delegates approved the motion and also selected it for submission won. support campaigns to achieve spaces as "discrimination." trans people in society and Government's Review of the to CWU General Conference next April. And “justice not charity” was the key theme of guest same-sex marriage legislation The motion called on the commented: "This hasn't been Gender Recognition Act. Dignity for women at work was the key issue behind the top two speaker Paula Peters, from the Disabled People Against industrial motions – each of which demanded appropriate female Cuts (DPAC) movement, who explained the organisation's facilities for Royal Mail and BT workers respectively. fighting philosophy and the direct-action activities it BLACK WORKERS CONFERENCE Sue Winstone, from Gloucestershire Amal Branch, moved the carries out, including occupying public spaces and forcing first motion, which described as “appalling” the “lack of accredited/ politicians to listen. he first resolution agreed by the Black Workers Conference recognised toilet facilities for delivery post people, especially for “We are not weak – we are warriors and fighters, with called on the union's postal executive to establish a women on delivery” and called on the postal executive and the fire in our bellies and strength in our hearts,” she insisted, programme of industrial relations (IR) training for branch women’s advisory committee to “campaign to make it compulsory and, after pledging DPAC's support for our union's Royal black and minority ethnic (BAME) reps. for Royal Mail to have a list of accredited toilet facilities attached to Mail members in their current dispute, she said: “It's time TMoving the motion, Saff Khan of North West No1 Branch every walk.” for everyone to rise up together.” explained the intentions behind it and insisted: “It’s not about Julie Rich, from Somerset, Devon & Cornwall Branch, moved the A resolution committing the union to giving its full release time, it’s about education,” while Des Gibbons, supporting second motion, which also stated that it was “appalling” that “in support to DPAC will be sent to next year's CWU General the motion on behalf of Nottingham Amal Branch suggested that IR the 21st-century BT Group cannot offer suitable toilets for its female Conference, after it was chosen from among the eight reps could be asked to help with training by inviting BAME reps to workforce across much of its building portfolio.” resolutions adopted. “shadow” some of their activities. Other resolutions dealt with the issue of equality training for reps In many buildings the only toilet “is sometimes just a urinal, And the need to work with and support education And the next proposition on the agenda – moved by Josh Williams and the issue of equality in the union's own publications, while the which is unscreened and with no lock on the door,” the motion unions in tackling the growing problem of mental health of Greater London Combined Branch – called for the ethnicity of Show Racism the Red Card campaign won full support and there stated, instructing the women’s advisory committee to “urgently issues among school-age children is the subject of the members being put through performance management processes to was a poignant appeal from veteran London Postal Engineering address the issue of access to suitable male and female designated other motion to be submitted to the union's highest be recorded in order to establish whether BAME workers are being Branch activist Cyril Onyejekwe in support of a motion to raise and lockable toilets in BT buildings where only one toilet is decision-making body. discriminated against, saying that discrimination “has a negative awareness of the higher risk that groups of BAME men face from available.” impact on life.” prostate cancer.

22 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @cwu December 2017 THE VOICE 23 YOUTH National Young Workers Education Event Grunwick 'lions' mural RETIRED MEMBERS

"What you're runing here INSPIRING is not a factory, it's a zoo. But in a zoo there are many types of animals. YOUNG Some are monkeys who dance on your fingertips; WORKERS others are lions who can bite your head off. We are the lions, Mr Manager..."

JAYABEN DESAI, STRIKE LEADER

Permanent tribute to the ‘lions’ of Grunwick

our decades after an initially the national television news, with footage site in Chapter Road, while the second, unremarkable local dispute of the Metropolitan Police’s Special Patrol larger, mural is at the railway bridge in over working conditions in Group (SPG) making mass arrests and Dudden Hill Lane near Dollis Hill tube a small north west London violently confronting the “strikers in saris”, station where many of those supporting factory exploded into one of as they were dubbed by the media of the the strikers from across London and WATCH THE ROUND-UP OF THE YOUNG WORKERS EDUCATION EVENT Fthe longest, bitterest and most influential day, further enflaming tensions. beyond disembarked en-route to the industrial showdowns in British industrial Former Cricklewood branch chair Colum picket line. ith the Mersey being the encourage them to get involved, to speak up about the big issues in both constituencies – history, the so called ‘lions of Grunwick’ Moloney still vividly recalls the brutal One of the most astonishing things perfect backdrop, 78 young and speak out – and Saturday’s proceedings including the current dispute with Royal Mail have been immortalised in major new treatment dished out to those on the about Grunwick is how a showdown that trade unionists descended provided the perfect platform with thought- (see pages 8 & 9), BT’s pension review (see pages public artworks. Grunwick picket line - a precursor in many was so bitter and controversial in the late on Liverpool in October for provoking keynote speakers, question and 5,6 & 7) and the Close the Gap campaign for Led mainly by Asian women, the iconic ways to the horrific scenes that unfolded 1970s is seen as a cause for mainstream Wthe CWU National Young Workers Education answer sessions and workshops. agency workers (see pages 16 & 17). Grunwick dispute of 1976-78 challenged in the subsequent Miners’ Strike. celebration of the spirit of struggle Event. It was a full house and, apart from a Krystal Finan, joint secretary of Kingston not just stereotypes but also the ethos of Describing the murals as a long overdue today - to the extent that the Grunwick welcome increase in the number of women & Surbiton CLP – and a student at Kingston MOCK CONFERENCE the predominantly white, male trade union “tribute to the strikers and all those who 40 commemoration project, of which present, for the first time the delegation was University – led a discussion on mental health As always, the Young Workers Education Event movement of the day and, in the process, supported a just cause,” Colum stressed the murals are the permanent legacy, split 50/50 between the Postal and Telecoms & wellbeing and, in particular, the Labour Party’s culminated in a lively ‘Mock Conference’ inspired a generation to speak out against he was proud to represent his erstwhile was part funded by a £24,800 Heritage Financial Services constituencies. campaigning on that front. Delegates agreed on the Sunday morning. Motions carried injustice. colleagues at an event which illustrated Lottery Fund grant. The weekend got off to a poignant start that more needed to be done to open up a included working with BT to improve support Amongst the tens of thousands who the extent to which the ultimate moral “Maybe the further back in time it is the with the North West Regional Young Workers wider debate and ensure easier access to mental for members with mental health issues and flocked to the cause of the Grunwick victory is now seen to lie with the Grunwick less controversial Grunwick has become,” Committee taking part in a HOPEWalk to health services for all. a demand for an all-out strike within Royal strikers and their inspirational leader, strikers - despite their ultimate defeat in observes CWU retired member and Brent raise awareness of Papyrus UK – the charity Workshops were hosted by Papyrus UK, Mail following the mediation period. A Jeyaben Desai, were postal workers from the dispute itself. Trades Council chair Pete Firmin who dedicated to the prevention of young suicide Cuba Solidarity Campaign, Andrew Towers motion calling for the scrapping of the CWU’s the then Cricklewood branch of the UPW. regularly supported the strikers on the that the young workers’ section is supporting (Head of Political Strategy) and the Ron death benefit drew plenty of debate but was Twice their refusal to deliver or collect CELEBRATING A STRUGGLE picket line. as part of its Charity Promise. The HOPEWalk, Todd Foundation. The Ron Todd Foundation eventually rejected. mail cut the jugular of the mail order photo The celebratory murals, which were “Its great to have a memorial to the took them around Liverpool in glorious workshop participants quickly put their words Thanking attendees for their enthusiastic processing operation after its fervently developed by over 80 local residents strike, the strikers and their supporters sunshine on Friday October 13, sporting into action with a trip onto the streets to hand participation throughout an “inspiring anti-union owner sacked his striking through a series of community workshops so close to the site of the old Grunwick Papyrus t-shirts and handing out flyers. out donated food and drink to the homeless. weekend”, National Young Workers Committee workforce after they refused to drop their with local artist, Anna Ferrie, sit at two factories,” he concludes. CWU general secretary Dave Ward used chair Jake Fear told The Voice: “It was amazing demand for trade union representation. locations with direct associations with “It’s a wonderful reminder of an STATE OF THE UNION his time slot to speak openly to the delegates to see so many of the younger members getting Quickly becoming a cause célèbre, at its the dispute. One adorns a wall directly important piece of local and labour Proceeedings started for real, however, on the about the ongoing CWU Re-design project and involved, speaking up and in some cases height the dispute was reported nightly on adjacent to the former Grunwick factory movement history.” evening of Friday October 13 – and a warm their role within it. Like Tony, Dave urged the standing their ground; you could see they felt welcome was extended by CWU president, younger members to participate fully in the comfortable enough in the environment to do n The CWU has an online course on CWU Jane Loftus, and senior deputy general debate to shape the union for the future and so. It was a truly great event.” Left Click for those who want to find out more secretary, Tony Kearns, who spoke about the ensure it is tailored to meet not just industrial n A full report can be viewed at https://www. about Grunwick. As well as details of the need for young people to get more involved challenges directly affecting members in the cwu.org/event/national-young-workers- origins of the dispute and how the CWU came in the union. His ‘state of union’ speech workplace but also wider-world challenges education-event-2017/ to be involved in it, the course contains new brought home the stark reality of declining such as the ‘New Deal for Workers’ that the n Following the Liverpool HOPEWalk the and original video footage including a round membership, but he stressed the enthusiastic CWU is presently championing. CWU has backed the newly launched Zero table discussion of those involved 40 years participation of those present pointed to a Popular roundtable discussions were hosted Suicide Alliance which offers free training to ago. It also pulls together lots of different brighter future. by deputy general secretaries Terry Pullinger help particupants recognise the early warning print and video resources from a wide range The essence of the Education Event is to (Postal) and Andy Kerr (T&FS) – providing signs that someone could be contemplating of sources. Just go to www.cwu.org/leftclick help young members to grow in confidence, delegates the opportunity to ask questions suicide. See www.cwu.org/briefing/zero and look in the View From The Floor section.

24 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @cwu December 2017 THE VOICE 25 FEATURE Postal Museum Postal Museum FEATURE

Locomotive graveyard: Mail Rail then and now the first years of its life the excavations “The story we tell is really the story served as a clandestine store for priceless Hidden from view, the Mail of the first social network – the first artefacts from museums and art galleries, organised system for people to including the Rosetta Stone. Rail system ran almost keep in touch,” stresses Chris Taft. MILES WILLIS MILES It wasn’t until just before Christmas non-stop, day and night, “Think of social media today and how POSTAL MUSEUM POSTAL POSTAL MUSEUM POSTAL 1927 that Mail Rail finally opened – for over 75 years... much people rely on it. In the days before immediately cutting the journey time for the telephone and telegraph and the mail transportations across London from constant communication we know today, a few hours to just 30 minutes. if you had family in far flung places the Little known about by the public at only way most ordinary people could keep large – and hidden from the view of in touch was by letter. That’s why the mail everyone except the 220 postal workers system has been so important from a who worked in its bowels – the system ran social history point of view, and why the POSTAL MUSEUM POSTAL almost non-stop, day and night, for over service has been vital for morale in times MILES WILLIS MILES MILES WILLIS MILES 75 years. of war.” Both parts of the museum are highly SAD END... interactive, with special attention paid All that ended, however, on May 30, to activities that help participants 2003, when – despite a hard fought understand the intricacies of how CWU campaign – the last postal train different elements of the system worked. completed its final delivery, and the entire One particular favourite for young and operation was decommissioned and old alike is a re-creation in the Mail Rail mothballed. that the railway could have been adapted exhibition area that aims to show what it Despite the union’s compelling to make deliveries to shops in Oxford was like to sort mail at speed on a fast- arguments that the very congestion- Street. moving TPO train, with two participants POSTAL MUSEUM POSTAL POSTAL MUSEUM POSTAL beating reasons for which Mail Rail had “I felt then, and still do, that we should encouraged to compete against each been built were just as relevant in the new be trying to keep anything we can off the other by placing the right mail in the right Millennium as they had been when the roads,” he told The Voice. frames at speed while being rocked from idea was first conceived, it was changes Other less practical ideas from different side to side. in the way Royal Mail operated its quarters included using the tunnels Over the road, the broader Postal sorting activities in London, the merging as a giant mushroom farm or as a Museum tells the history of the service in a of a number of offices and the gradual subterranean cycle super-highway, series of zones describing the beginnings, decommissioning of the TPO network that but these too came to nothing…and until popularity, and social and artistic were the final nails in Mail Rail’s coffin. the Postal Heritage Trust charity’s plans contribution of Royal Mail, as well as the POSTAL ‘CATACOMBS’ “By 2003 there were only three places for a new Postal Museum crystallised in challenges it faced along the way and the left on the line…and the sorting for mail 2011, it seemed the tunnels could remain way it innovated to overcome them. going on to trains was taking place at forever silent. This is not an exhibition targeted at OPENED TO THE PUBLIC Willesden in West London, and this philatelists (though a complete page railway didn’t go there,” explains the NEW BEGINNING of mint-condition Penny Blacks is A new museum celebrating the history of the British Postal Museum’s head of collections Six years and £26 million later, thanks in included) – nor primarily a business Post Office from its earliest origins has opened in Chris Taft. part to a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, history – but instead an exploration of a central London. Part of the story it tells sheds light on “The railway simply no longer went to Mail Rail is now poised to become a communications revolution and people’s where it needed to go, and the volume popular fixture on London’s tourist map. need and desire to stay in touch over time the forgotten subterranean world of Mail Rail – a marvel of mail being moved between those The journey on the specially made pint- and distance. of early 20th Century engineering that once moved four three locations wasn’t enough to justify a sized passenger train that rumbles for 15 With regards to Mail Rail, some may million items a day deep beneath the congested streets dedicated railway.” minutes along a narrow-gauge track and regard the transformation of a place that of the capital. Simon Alford reports Former UCW deputy general secretary through original platforms is fascinating. once employed hundreds into a tourist and Labour peer, Tony Clarke – who, Audio-visual technology and projections attraction as rather sad – but at least prior to September’s opening of a on the curving walls recreate the frantic it is now preserved for the future as a hat we regard as ‘modern problem – construction began on an one kilometre section of the railway to activity of yesteryear, displaying a vivid, monument to the vital social contribution problems’ have often been ingenious solution to the problem of Postal Museum visitors, was one of a almost ghostly, picture of a lost era when made by all those who worked there. around for generations. moving mail across the jam-prone capital. comparatively select group ever to have Mail Rail could justifiably be viewed as the n The Postal Museum is at Phoenix Place, Take congestion in central Hacked out by hand, a perfect miniature travelled on a railway that was never ‘beating heart’ of the postal service. Mount Pleasant, London WC1X 0DA. WLondon and Victorian predictions that underground rail system was completed. intended for human cargo – still believes As with the main galleries of the Postal For visitor information and ticket prices “in 50 years every street in London will It linked the main London sorting offices the decision to call time on Mail Rail was a Museum that stands on the opposite side see www.postalmuseum.org be buried under nine feet of manure” on with the mainline rail terminals where mail The timing of the tunnels’ completion, mistake, however. of Phoenix Place – just adjacent to the All current Royal Mail employees are entitled account of the number of horses on the to and from the regions was disgorged however, could not have been worse. Recalling how he was once offered a huge Mount Pleasant Mail Centre – the to unlimited free access to The Postal roads. (The Times, 1894) or picked up by the iconic Travelling With WW1 then reaching its tragic height, clandestine ride to the next stop when story of Mail Rail is told in an imaginative Museum’s static exhibitions on production of Twenty years later, in 1914 – just as the Post Office (TPO), another remarkable the focus on the war effort meant that visiting Mount Pleasant as an inquisitive and thought-provoking way that centres their staff ID from now until 30 September 2019 – and one free ride on Mail Rail, which internal combustion engine was starting innovation that was immortalised in WH operating equipment for the 6.5-mile 14-year-old telegraph boy in 1946, Lord on the importance of communication in needs to be pre-booked online. Full details at: to change the nature of the emissions Auden’s poem Night Mail. network couldn’t be ordered – so for Clarke pointed to the CWU’s suggestions our collective social history. www.cwu.org/special

26 THE VOICE December 2017 www.cwu.org @cwu December 2017 THE VOICE 27 TAXATIONSECTION Xxxxxxxxx THE LAST WORD WIKIMEDIDA / PIXABAY

A tax scandal that must be tackled

“We need a radical overhaul of our tax system,” demands our senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns in response to the Paradise Papers tax avoidance scandal

n October, millions of confidential “Yes, there are a large number of and Customs) that they lose over documents relating to offshore high-profile individuals about whom £4 billion per year as a result of tax I investments were leaked to the serious questions clearly need to avoidance. German newspaper Suddeutsche asked,” says Tony, “but even their huge “And to give that figure some Zeitung, the same newspaper that wealth pales in comparison to the likes perspective, that’s the equivalent of first obtained the similarly revealing of Facebook, Twitter, Apple, Disney, over 80,000 primary school teachers ‘Panama Papers’ in 2016. Uber, Nike, Walmart, Allianz, Siemens, or over 400,000 hip operations in the Such was the volume of information McDonald’s and Yahoo! – some of the NHS,” he explains. that the newspaper contacted biggest corporations on the planet and “Failing to pay this tax means that the International Consortium of which are all named in these papers as either ordinary people carry the cost Investigative Journalists to probe owning offshore companies. of these services or they are not further and, perhaps appropriately, the “It’s the difference between millions funded and under so-called ‘austerity 2017 documents were made public on and billions,” he explained, adding: “The measures’, we know it’s the latter – so November 5th – quickly being dubbed enormous fortunes that these enormous tax dodging for the rich is paid for by the ‘Paradise Papers’, reflecting the companies generate are of a magnitude austerity for the rest of us. tax havens used by some 120,000 that actually makes a real difference to “Ordinary workers have no means individuals and companies. the economies of countries like ours. of not paying their tax – it’s taken out Among those named in the “And most shocking of all is the fact at source, whether they like it or not,” documents are Formula One driver that these tax avoidance practices – Tony continues, pointing out that, if Lewis Hamilton, who used loopholes in the offshoring, the ‘shell’ companies wealthy individuals and companies are the system to avoid tax on his private which exist purely for tax reasons – are not paying their fair share, then this jet – one of 957 ‘imported’ into the all legal and there’s even government “increases the burden on the rest of Isle of Man according to the Paradise assistance for it.” the population who are not able to use Papers – and Lord Ashcroft, who has A change in the law to oblige all these loopholes. still not carried out his promise – made companies to pay tax on all revenues “It can’t be right that the wealthiest in the year 2000 – to become formally generated in the UK at UK tax rates are legally able to avoid tax while the ‘domiciled’ in the UK for tax purposes. would bring billions in revenues to the rest of us pay far more, proportionally, Musicians Bono and Shakira also public purse, he argues, particularly at from our respective incomes. feature, the U2 front man being a time when our NHS is under pressure, “It proves that there is one law for the listed as an investor in a Lithuanian housing need is at an all-time high, rich and one for the rest of us - there’s shopping centre via a Malta-based and our other public services are being more than a whiff of corruption about company and the Colombian singer, squeezed in the name of ‘balancing the such a system – it stinks and it has to who lives in Barcelona, is reportedly books’. change,” he insists. formally registered as a resident of the As an example, Tony cites an estimate “There has to be a radical overhaul Bahamas. from the HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue of the tax system.”

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