LTB 896/11 Pensions Policy Forum

[TrueBlueTerrier]

26 October 2011
LTB 896/11 Pensions Policy Forum

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleague



PENSIONS POLICY FORUM 10TH NOVEMBER 2011

Please find attached the amendments and the order of Business for the Postal Pension Policy Forum. Branches are reminded that the Policy Forum only sets policy for the Postal Constituency and not the whole of the Union.


Order of Business

10.15 - 10.30 Test Vote
10.30 – 10.50 Chair’s opening remarks and any challenges
10.50 – 11.10 Dave Ward DGS (P) to move Report & Recommendations
11.15 – 12.15 Amendments to Recommendation 1
12.15 – 13.00 Amendments to Recommendation 2
13.00 – 13.45 Dinner/Lunch
13.45 – 16.30 Amendments to Recommendation 2 & adoption of Report


Can Branches and Business Co-ordinating Committees ensure that they agree who is moving and seconding Composite Amendments.

Branches can withdraw amendments up until 6pm 9th November by emailing postalpolicyforum@cwu.org. Any other withdrawals after this date can be done from the floor of the forum.

Could representatives please ensure you bring the following paperwork to the Forum:

Pension Report amendments LTB 896/11

Pension Report contained in LTB 863/11

Policy Forum Guidelines contained in LTB 811/11

Hard copies will not be available on the day.

Branches are reminded that Registration will open at 9.40am and you are to provide a list of Branch Representatives attending. This list should include names, IR position, mobile number and email address. If a Branch does not register they will not receive their electronic voting cards.

Senior Field Officials should also register that they are in attendance.

Could the Branch Representative with the voting cards please be in the hall by 10.15 for a test vote.

The Policy Forum will start at 10.30am. I look forward to seeing you at the Policy Forum.



Any enquiries should be directed to the DGS (P) Department quoting reference 67000.



Yours sincerely



Jane Loftus
Chair of Postal Executive










POSTAL POLICY FORUM - NOVEMBER 2011







RECOMMENDATION 1:



COMP 1
If carried 3, 6, 8 and 9 Fall



Add at end:-



That support is conditional on confirmation of the bullet points referred to in section 7, paragraph 1.2, being agreed by 31st January 2012.



Newcastle Amal
York and District Amal






COMP
2
Add at end:-



That this Policy Forum agrees that the PEC will call either an emergency policy forum or a policy session at Annual Conference 2012, whichever is more appropriate time wise, if the European Commission rejects the governments request for state and or grants rescue and which allows the company to be broken up or does not resolve the pension issues.



London Divisional Committee
South East London Postal and Counters
East London Postal Branch








RECOMMENDATION 2





COMP 3
Amend Recommendation 2 to read:



That the Policy Forum endorses Section 7, Paragraphs 1 to 5 as CWU Pensions Policy, with the following changes:



1. Paragraph 1.2: the eighth bullet point to read:



· “A guarantee that going forward the RMPP will continue to operate as a defined benefits scheme under the CARE arrangements, and that the pension benefit entitlements will be at least as good as under the current RMPP. The Union should seek to secure such a guarantee by making this a contractual obligation with the employer.”



2. Paragraph 1.2: after the bullet points, add this sentence:



However, if the terms of the RMPP are changed in any way that worsens the pension benefit entitlements of members going forward, then the PEC is instructed to immediately launch a campaign for strike action, and to organise a ballot for strike action.







3. Paragraph 5: amend this to read:



“The CWU should actively engage in the broader TUC Campaign to improve pensions for all workers and offer solidarity to the public sector Unions in any way we can, whilst highlighting inadequacies of private sector schemes and opposing any moves to raise the retirement age beyond 65. We should continue to review and monitor the public sector dispute in conjunction with our own discussions as developments take place. If the CWU becomes involved in any trade dispute over pensions, then the PEC is instructed to seek to coordinate any industrial action taken along with that being taken by the public sector Unions.”



Anglia Divisional Committee
Eastern No.4
Eastern No.5
Eastern No.6
South Central No.1
Cleveland Amal
Romford Amal






COMP 4
That the policy forum agrees that the CWU will oppose, by all means necessary, up to an including a national industrial action ballot, any further attempt by Royal Mail, any new prospective owner, strategic partner or government to increase our pension contributions, reduce benefits or worsen the current pension scheme in any way.



The policy will be given the widest possible circulation including direct communication to members home addresses.



London Parcels and Stations Amal
Mount Pleasant International
North/North West London






5
If Carried 6 Falls



Add at end:



and proactively force the issue surrounding the reversal of the Governments decision to up-grade pensions with CPI rather than RPI, along with our other conference policy up to and including Industrial Action; enabling the CWU to legitimately support the TUC’s pension campaign, whilst defending the pension provision of its own members. A full report should be circulated to all branches no later than the end of January 2012 on any progress made.



If no progress has been made by February 28th then a ballot for Industrial Action up to and including Strike Action will be called for.



Merseyside Amal






6
Add at end of Recommendation 2 :



Paragraph 1 re-word bullet point 3 as follows :



Confirmation (validated by independent pension experts and lawyers) that the split of assets will leave the RMPP fully funded and deficit free going forward with sufficient assets to fund future benefits and the ability of new entrants to join. This also needs to ensure that the split of assets setting up a POL section is fair and equitable.



Paragraph 2 re-word bullet point 2 as follows :



The reversal of CPI as the measure for up-rating of pensions and the reintroduction of RPI for the affected members, which should this not prove possible, a commitment will be sought from the Labour Party to ensure this matter is dealt with in their General Election manifesto.



Western Counties








COMP 7
Except that ; the CWU will pursue the policy of maximising elements of pay going forward to be fully reckonable for pensionable pay.



This includes any future lump sum payments, current pay supplements and any shift/skills payments that are currently either not reckonable for pensionable pay or only part reckonable for pensionable pay.



London North Western C&C
South East London Postal and Counters
East London Postal






8
That the Policy Forum endorses Section 7, Paragraphs 1 to 5 as CWU Pensions Policy, with the following changes:



1. Paragraph 1.2:



· Written guarantees from both the Government and Royal Mail (as appropriate) that what is being proposed under the Postal Services Act will not disadvantage in any way all current benefits members are entitled to. To ensure this occurs, the Postal Executive will establish a Pensions working group (to be determined by the Postal Executive) who will develop and oversee the proposed, current and future benefits for scheme members
· Conformation that in the event of a sale any new company will not be allowed a contributions holiday or to benefit from any windfall profits. In the event of the fund becoming surplus, the Postal Executive will undertake a consultation exercise (including further Policy Forums) of branches and members on how to re-distribute the surplus through additional and / or enhanced benefits to pension plan members.
· A death in service payment which is at least equivalent to the current scheme i.e. a lump sum equal to four times pensionable salary.











· Yearly pension illustrations to be sent to members home address
· Option to exchange up to 25% of the total value of the plan to increase the higher tax free lump sum
· Measures will be put in place to ensure adequate training is provided for reps to understand the basic elements of the new plan
· Royal Mail Group to re-introduce the “retirement seminars” for employees reaching retirement age



This list is not exhaustive
Gloucestershire Amal






9
Add at end:



that what is being proposed under the Postal Services Act will not disadvantage in any way the benefits members are entitled to or that existing pensioners currently receive.



Greater Manchester Amal






COMP 10
Add at end:



Accept that this Policy Forum reaffirms the CWU’s policy of pursuing the removal/reduction of the “lower earnings limit” which applies to the members of the Section C of the pension scheme.
Harrow and District Amal



Accept that this Policy Forum reaffirms the CWU’s existing policy of pursuing the removal/reduction of the lower earnings limit which applies to the members of the Section C pension scheme. The postal executive is instructed accordingly.



Plymouth and East Cornwall Amal
















11
At end of recommendation 2:



That before any changes take place that effect the contributions or benefits to the members of the pension schemes these will be placed before the membership for endorsement.
South East No.5






COMP
12
Add at end:



that the assets and financial arrangements for RMPP going forward will be sufficient to provide long term stability with strong employer covenant from the start
Newcastle Amal
York and District Amal






COMP 13
That this Policy Forum agrees that the policies outlined in the Pensions Section 7, Paragraph 1-5 and any other motions carried at the Pensions Policy Forum will be subject to regular communications updating the wider membership on the progress the union is having in regards to the unions agenda.



If the union does not achieve the policies outlined in points 1-5 in Para 7 and any other pension policies carried at the Pension Briefing, then the union will call a further policy forum or report to Annual Conference on the progress the CWU has made. The policy forum or a report to Annual Conference should allow the CWU at National, Divisional and Branch level the opportunity to make further policy on pensions going forward.



London Divisional Committee
London South West
West London Postal