PE Member Report for Scotland & Northern Ireland W/C 26th October 2020

[Woody Guthrie]

PE Member Report for Scotland & Northern Ireland W/C 26th October 2020

As we are all aware, we have now reached a second wave of the Corona Virus, but this time we are witnessing an increase in infections of our members in many units throughout the UK. Scotland and Northern Ireland particularly has felt the affects of this fatal pandemic where we have seen the recent passing of one of our members from the Duns Delivery Office of COVID 19, and also positive cases becoming more prominent in a number of offices, non-more so than that in the Derry DO in Northern Ireland where rather than describing the problem as a cluster, but more like an outbreak. I will elaborate on this in the body of the report.

Furthermore, we have seen Regional restrictions come into play in Scotland and Northern Ireland, yet these restrictions are varied in their directives and advice, so much so that some of the restrictions are causing confusion, in particular, the wearing of face masks and two in a vehicle. Even though Scotland’s First Minister this week outlined the dangers aligned to sharing a vehicle and the great risk of spreading the infection, Royal Mail continue with their policy of seeking volunteers to share a van. The CWU view this to be dangerous and reckless on behalf of the employer, and we continue to insist they review their position in this regard.

Without going into any great detail, I have updated the representatives throughout the Division on where we are with National talks, and that the Postal Executive will be meeting on 4th November to consider Royal Mail’s so called ‘Simplified’ proposals. Further to this, the Divisional Representatives touched on Achieving The Task (ATT), Annual Leave, COVID Test Kits, and Christmas arrangements. There is now a stage 3 disagreement in place for the whole Division on ATT.

The following is the issues that were brought to my attention:

• PPE seems widely available, but there are concerns about the hiring of Agency Workers into the business over the Christmas period and ensuring there is a correct supply. There is also a concern of how any new entrant will be screened, and a background check for COVID related issues,

• The lack of clarity of the wearing of face masks / shields / coverings, whether voluntary or mandatory and in what areas of the office they should be worn. There was general confusion around this matter, including with our Area Safety Representatives (ASR). Some offices have introduced compulsory wearing of face masks. National clarity is needed here.

• There is widespread complacency on Social Distancing (SD) from both managers and our members; this was reported from numerous representatives throughout the Division. There remains some very difficult offices to manage with SD, but this has been a problem from the start of the Pandemic, and both reps and managers continue in trying to deal with this, although there is greater effort in some offices as opposed to others. There is a responsibility on all of us to ensure our environment is safe to work in, therefore it is important that managers manage with the support of the CWU, but there will have to be a serious re-focusing in this area.

• Royal Mail (RM) has now moved to in-cab training in vehicles 3.5t and beyond in Scotland without the support or approval of the CWU. This was a unilateral decision by the business (SHE Advisor), and went out in a message from him on 16th October, the same day the RM SHE Advisor met with the our Industrial Officers and H & S Officer, but failed to mention this at their meeting. Does this fly in the face of Scotland’s First Minister’s advice?

• While shared vans are voluntary and where no pressure should be placed on anyone to do so, there are reports of members being removed from their duties to accommodate someone who is prepared to share a van. This is viewed as a punishment for not wanting to share a van, and therefore must be raised as a National issue.

• There have been some serious reports of the failure to deep clean a vehicle after someone has tested positive for CV19 and where another driver has taken that same vehicle on service without it having been taken off service and having a deep clean. We are awaiting a formal report on this matter following a more in-depth investigation and will report the findings. This matter may have more serious implications and consequences if this is true but will be explained in future reports. There seems to be a blame game going on here, but we will get to the bottom of this.

• There is also a general problem of daily ‘touch point’ cleaning of vehicles, but the reasons vary here. It is for all parties to ensure that touch point cleaning is done regularly. It was further brought to my attention that on one of the touch points on a vehicle with a tail lift may be getting missed, and that’s the tail lift buttons outside and inside of the vehicle. Drivers of these types of vehicles must ensure these are cleaned down also.

• It has been widely reported in the News and other media outlets of the general increase of positive COVID infections in Derry and Strabane; this has resulted in approximately 23 members in the Derry DO testing positive for Corona Virus, with a further 36 members self-isolating (figures correct at the time of receiving the information). This is almost 50% of the office. This cannot be described as a cluster as we are hearing in some other offices; this is an outbreak. There has been great support for our members from politicians, local communities and other Unions. I intend to visit the Derry Office and will continue to make myself available at any time the N.I West Branch may need my assistance.

• There has been a suggestion of regular testing of our members for COVID. This is something that should continue to be discussed at National level.

• National advice needed around the Track & Trace App when advised someone has encountered someone who has tested positive with COVID. Should they self-isolate? I’m not up to speed with the App function and related advice therefrom, so clarity needs sought in this regard.

• Self-isolation -v- Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). This needs some advice and clarity where a member needs to self-isolate, but may find themselves only on SSP. There was an instance where the manager claimed our member brought the self-isolation on himself by not following H & S guidelines. This can be investigated further to obtain specific details.

• Some local unit and H & S reps have been doing joint observations with managers to understand the problems they continue to face with SD and other COVID related safety matters. This will help to deal with things better and jointly.

• Unfortunately, we have had 3 experienced local rep resignations in the Highland Amal Branch due to the continued and unrelenting pressures within offices with everything going on.

Many of the issues raised above will be dealt with the Divisional Reps through the SDLs, but hopefully the above captures the mood of things within the Division and the continued problems and issues we face. It is quite evident that COVID continues to be a real threat within the workplace and in society in general. We are now witnessing England going into an almost complete lockdown from Thursday 5th November, and things do not seem to be getting much better in all other jurisdictions.

As we move into the Christmas pressure period there is a projection of 30% to 40% increase in parcels this year as opposed to last year, so we know it is going to be a difficult time for us all to cope with. That said, having worked closely alongside the Division now for around 9/10 months, I am more than confident that the strength and experience of the reps and Branches will carry us through the difficult times ahead, and I thank you all for your work and dedication to your union and its members.

We are stronger when we work together.

Bobby Weatherall
NEC /PEC Member