LTB 628 Crown Office Franchising – TUPE

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Letter to Branches




No: 628
Ref: 101
Date:19th September 2013

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleague

POST OFFICE: PAY 2012 AND BEYOND AND THE FUTURE OF THE CROWN OFFICE NETWORK – TUPE CONSULTATION / PUBLIC MEETINGS

Crown Office Franchising – TUPE

We are writing to advise Branches that we have received a letter from Tom Moran, Head of Industrial Relations & Network Strategy, entitled “Collective TUPE Consultation on Franchising Crown Branches.” The letter is attached to this LTB for your information.

The letter brought about a number of questions regarding the TUPE consultation on those Crowns earmarked for franchising and the impact upon our members. We have therefore contacted our solicitors, Pattinson & Brewer, to seek advice and guidance on this subject. Further developments in this regard will be reported.

Public Meetings – Community Campaigns

In accordance with our annual conference policy, it is clear that we now need to intensify our efforts with regards to arranging public meetings to highlight to communities and politicians the Post Office’s ill-conceived plans to franchise 70 Crown Offices (additionally, 6 Crowns are earmarked for closure). So far, 39 public meetings have taken place, with a further 12 organised for the next few weeks. However, 25 meetings have yet to be arranged; it is vital that these are finalised as soon as possible and representatives are urged to contact Claire Bowers at cbowers@cwu.org as we will provide leaflets, postcards and posters when details of the venue, date and time of the meeting are confirmed.

Also attached to this LTB is the Post Office and Consumer Futures “Code of Practice on Public Consultation with respect to change in the Post Office network”. Contained within this document is the following statement: “the period for receipt of comments on the service implications of network changes such as conversion of a Crown Post Office will be six weeks”. It should be noted that in cases of permanent closure, the period for consultation will be twelve weeks.

It is imperative we defend the Crown Office status for each and every Crown that is threatened. Territorial Representatives, Area Representatives and Branch Secretaries are urged to take all necessary steps to instigate community campaigns. A campaign pack can be found on the website by accessing the following link: http://www.cwu.org/downloadable-resources.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey Dave Ward
Assistant Secretary Deputy General Secretary (Postal)