Springboard Initiative

[Geezer]

No. 298 Ref: 24005 Date: 8th May 2013


TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS


Dear Colleague

Springboard Initiative

Following discussions with Royal Mail and various announcements made by the business, the Union has agreed the attached communication.

Branches are asked to ensure that the terms of this LTB are communicated to our members and that they are encouraged to participate in this project.

Any enquiries to DGS (P) department.


Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)

===========================================================================================================================================================================================================

Capture.PNG

Being a Union Representative

There are many ways you can take on more responsibility at work and develop your skills and experience. One of these is becoming a trade union representative in your workplace. The Trade Union recognised in Royal Mail Group is the Communication Workers Union (http://www.cwu.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;).
.
Role of your trade union rep
.
A trade union representative (‘rep’) is a union member who represents and gives advice to colleagues when they have problems at work. Trade union reps aren’t paid extra but they do get paid time off to do their work as a rep. Amount of time depends on their commitments. Local reps are supported by Area reps and have regular meetings.
.
What do union reps do?
.
Reps are there to:
.
• discuss any concerns colleagues have about their employment, this may involve visiting colleagues at their home.
• provide advice on some of the procedures in Royal Mail, for example the bullying and harassment procedure
• go with (‘accompany’) colleagues to disciplinary or grievance hearings
• represent colleagues in local negotiations, for example duty revisions
• meet with the Manager to find solutions to workplace issues
• attend meetings with the manager in the workplace, for example to discuss resource planning
• develop and help to maintain the best possible health and safety procedures with the Manager and colleagues (Health & Safety rep)
• support for colleagues who may be experiencing personal issues
.
Skills and knowledge
.
• a genuine interest in helping people and wanting to make a difference
• an approachable manner
• good communication, and listening skills
• assertiveness (non-confrontational) for handling challenging situations
• confidence in speaking to a group of colleagues
• the ability to motivate and encourage people
• patience and tact
• problem-solving ability
• credibility and integrity
.
Becoming a union rep
.
If you want to become a union rep, ask another rep in the workplace or contact the CWU through its website (http://www.cwu.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;). You will need to be elected by your colleagues. Notices will be placed on a board in the Unit and you will need to complete a nomination form and get 2 people to propose and second you. The CWU will provide paid training to help you in this role. This will include 2 days training in postal procedures, residential and regional courses on being a union rep and about democracy, health & safety and many others.

[Danelectro]

Im a bit slow on the uptake with these sort of things so in the labyrinth of CWU and Royal Mail joint statements can anybody explain the significance of the springboard initiative?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

There is no significance.

For Royal Mail its window dressing so they can say they involve the Union and even help them recruit members, the cynic in me says it could be a ploy to try and control who gets selected and why - but that might be a conspiracy too far.

For the Union - it could be the start of a recruitment drive to try and get more units represented and build a stronger and more effective union, the cynic is worried its a deck chairs on the Carpathia moment.

[fishtank]

Im a bit slow on the uptake with these sort of things so in the labyrinth of CWU and Royal Mail joint statements can anybody explain the significance of the springboard initiative?

It's a wimmin only thing Dan.

[Danelectro]

Im a bit slow on the uptake with these sort of things so in the labyrinth of CWU and Royal Mail joint statements can anybody explain the significance of the springboard initiative?

It's a wimmin only thing Dan.

wheres the moderator?

[music4essex]

I got one of the letters this morning.

Now it stated it started in the 2000,s, but I attended one of these in the early 90.s .

6 of us done it from my office , out of all those one went on to be a manager and I went on to be a rep,

now 20yrs later that person is still a manager , but personal circumstances was i had to give up the rep,

I may just go on it to see how it has changed , and see what rehetoric RM come out with .

Essex mum

[dvbuk55]

Well I'm going to complain to the equality commission - this just isn't right. What about us men - do we not need a springboard - think of all the whining women did we want equal rights, equal pay and now they are getting more than their fair share - the worlds gone mad - should we have given them the vote I ask:cuppa

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Perhaps you could contact Barbara Hewson she certainly thinks there should be end to the persecution of old men.