the CWU's Annual Report for 2006-2007

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3. BRANCH AND REGIONAL STRUCTURE It has continued to be policy to support and encourage Branch mergers where this is of benefit to the Union and more importantly to our members. A number of mergers have taken place throughout the year, which has resulted in a reduction in the number of branches from 166 to 160. The breakdown of Branches is as follows: Postal O&A 88 Engineering/PTS 34 Clerical 12 Merged 26 The constituency breakdown of the membership is as follows (based on the end of year figures for 2006): Clerical 22,955 Engineering/PTS 50,420 Postal Operator & Ancillary 145,917 Retired 19,348 Total 238,640 Regional organisation has again operated effectively throughout all regions and the Committee are keen to continue to develop and support the excellent activity that is being performed within the regional structure. 4. BRANCH MODEL CONSTITUTION The Branch Model constitution was amended to incorporate the Women’s and Youth Officers in line with Conference policy. The roles and responsibilities of the two Officers were also incorporated into the constitution. 5. CONDUCT OF BALLOTS We have continued to conduct all national and statutory ballots. These include National Executive Council and National Officer Elections, industrial action and consultative ballots. In addition to these we have also provided Branches with balloting assistance where required. 6. UNION AWARDS We are currently revamping the certificates for all the Unions’ Honorary awards. Following the carriage of national rule 4.1.10 a national certificate was issued to all members who had completed 25 years continuous service by 31st December 2005. At the time of writing this paragraph arrangements are underway to issue the certificate for those members who had completed 25 years continuous membership by 31st December 2006. STRATEGY 1. STRUCTURE OF THE UNION The smaller NEC agreed by the Rules Conference 2004 has now been in operation for 18 months and is working well. 2. RULES The Rule Amendments carried at the Rules Session of General Conference 2006 have been carried in to the Rule Book and the revised version has been published on the CWU web site. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES & COMMUNICATIONS LEGAL SERVICES The Committee wish to express their appreciation of the work of the staff of the Department and the help of the Branches, which is so important to the delivery of this vital service. They are also appreciative of the role of our Employment and Medical Tribunal panellists, key solicitors, the employment law consultant and medical adviser in the delivery of the Union’s service for members. 1. RESPONSIBILITIES The Committee is responsible for overseeing the work of the Department handling: 1.1 All Personal Injury claims and associated representations/schemes. 1.2 All Employment Law issues including Employment Tribunals. 2. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES 2.1 TOTAL COMPENSATION RECEIVED We are able to report that the Department has recovered compensation for its members totalling £20,393,737.35 covering all aspects of the benefits/services available. 2.2 CLAIMS FOR PERSONAL INJURY DAMAGES/ACCIDENTS ON/OFF DUTY This year a total of 3894 new claims were received. During the year 4153 claims for damages were closed and compensation of £19,001,974.21 was recovered for our members. We have seen for the first time in recent years a significant increase in the number of new claims registered at CWU HQ. The figures represent an 18% increase. These figures clearly demonstrate that the initiatives taken by the Legal Services Department have been successful. The introduction of the CWU Accident Helpline in March 2006, along with the national publicity given to the Scheme, which involved an individual mail shot to member’s home addresses. These included a personalised accident helpline membership card and a letter detailing the new scheme. It is clear from the responses that we have received that the personalised publicity greatly improved our members’ awareness of the services provided by the Legal Services Department. Additionally, by introducing the new system, members were able to choose a number of options on how to register a claim with the CWU. Along with the traditional method of registering a claim via the local branch, members can now use a dedicated helpline by telephoning free phone number 0800 8046 674 as well as registering claims via the dedicated website: www.cwu.accidenthelpline.com Collectively, the three methods of claims registration have contributed to the increase in the number of overall claims registered at CWU Headquarters. A breakdown on the figures for the period 1st January 2006-31st December 2006 are listed below: Claims received via Branches: 2592 Claims received via CWU Accident Helpline/website: 1302 12 l National Executive Council Annual Report 2006-2007
This year’s compensation figure is lower than previous years. This reduction reflects the falling number of cases handled during the last few years and it is anticipated the compensation figure will rise, in line with the increase in new claims registered this year. It will be our intention to continue to build on the success of the launch of the CWU Accident Helpline with further publicity being sent direct to members’ home addresses during 2007. 2.3 CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION SCHEME The Department received 193 new applications and settled/ closed 240 claims whilst recovering £199,811.26 in compensation. 2.4 PERSONAL ACCIDENT BENEFIT SCHEME/PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE SCHEME The Department processed 3857 claims whilst recovering £1,189,309.27 in compensation. During the year further improvements were agreed with Royal Mail to the Royal Mail Personal Accident Benefit Scheme details of which were published in LTB No. 198/06 dated 22nd March 2006. 2.5 BANDIT ATTACK SCHEME We received 44 new claims and settled/closed 58 claims whilst awarding £ 2005.76 in compensation. 2.6 ILL HEALTH RETIREMENT SCHEME During the year we have processed 90 new applications and have concluded 85, of which 34 were successful claims, 18 unsuccessful and 33 withdrawn. 2.7 DRIVER’S PROTECTION SCHEME We have handled 60 new cases this year on behalf of the Membership. 2.8 CWU ROAD ASSIST SCHEME (ENGLAND AND WALES) During the year our Service providers dealt with a total of 35 cases. Members in England and Wales who wish to make use of this service should continue to do so by dialing the free phone number: 0800 542 9927, quoting CWU Road Assist. 2.9 CWU LEGAL ADVICE SERVICE This service has proved to be highly successful with many of our members availing themselves of the service, seeking advice on a wide range of non-work related issues. This year the CWU Legal Advice Service has handled a total of 4569 enquiries. The operating hours are 0700 hrs to 2300 hrs Monday to Friday. Members wishing to make use of this service, should phone the National Helpline Number: 0800 804 6674, or alternatively enquiries can be made via e-mail: cwulegalhelpline@simpsonmillar.co.uk The range of issues on which legal advice was given includes; consumer, criminal, debt management, family and neighbourhood disputes. 3. MOTIONS TO ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2006 Motion 85 was discussed and accepted by Conference, endorsing the NEC policy on the rationalisation of the Solicitors Panel. The implementation of the policy has been achieved. Meetings have taken place with Branches and representatives from the various firms of solicitors on the panel and new working relationships are developing. It is anticipated that progress will continue to be made in this regard, which can only lead to further improvements in the standards of service we provide to our members. The co-operation of the Branches involved is much appreciated by the Legal Services Department. 4. NEW BENEFITS Working in partnership with the Solicitors Panel we have been able to negotiate two new benefits which will be available to the Membership in early 2007. This has been achieved as a direct result of the implementation of the national policy and the rationalisation of the panel. 4.1 WILL SERVICE The CWU is now able to offer members a free will service. Will packs will be available from CWU Headquarters, on request and once the information questionnaire has been completed by the member, this will be forwarded to our Panel Solicitors for professional legal drafting and returned to the member, as appropriate. Will applications that deal with more complex issues e.g. inheritance tax planning and the formation of trust funds will be subject to further consultation with the Solicitors, with a discounted charge being made. 4.2 CONVEYANCING Members will also be able to use the services of our Panel Solicitors for conveyancing matters and will be able to benefit from a 20% discount on our Panel Solicitors standard rates. Members wishing to use this service can do so by making an enquiry via CWU Headquarters. 5. EDUCATION AND TRAINING We continue with our programme of legal workshops as part of our National Awareness and Training programme. This year we have seen the government introduce the Compensation Act 2006. This is the legislation laid down by Government in order to regulate various organisations that provide legal services. All trade unions will now need to conform to a Code of Practice, which includes appropriate training for Workplace Representatives, who are responsible for advising their members on services provided by the union’s Legal Services Department. Details were published via the Regional Secretaries Report and further information regarding future training programmes will be issued accordingly. 6. TUC UNION LEGAL OFFICERS NETWORK We continue to be involved in the TUC’s Legal Officers Network Committee, which allows us to exchange ideas and information with other affiliated trade unions. More increasingly, the Committee is asked to provide opinions on potential changes to legislation and the introduction of new legislation developed by the Department of Constitutional Affairs, which is the Government Department responsible for drafting legislation which affects the legal profession. The TUC collectively makes submissions to the DCA on behalf of the trade union movement affecting both personal injury and employment law issues. 7. EMPLOYMENT LAW 7.1 GENERAL The Employment Law Department experienced a number of l National Executive Council Annual Report 2006-2007 13
Page 1: 2006-2007 lThe communications union
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the CWU's Annual Report for 2006-2007

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