LTB 343/18 – REDESIGN – BRANCH CONSULTATION – SPECIAL CONFERENCE 3RD AND 4TH NOVEMBER 2018
343/18
13th June 2018
TO: ALL BRANCHES
Dear Colleague
REDESIGN – BRANCH CONSULTATION – SPECIAL CONFERENCE 3RD AND 4TH NOVEMBER 2018
The purpose of this LTB is to provide Branches with some initial findings of the Branch Consultation and explain our current approach to the Redesign Special Conference in November 2018.
Initial findings of the Branch Redesign Consultation
The Branch Consultation on Redesign of CWU Structures closed on 11 May 2018 and we would like to thank each Branch who took the time to consider these issues and submit responses.
The overall response rate has been encouraging with 83% of Branches making a submission. This has provided us with a very large amount of data, which is now being analysed in detail.
However, some early work has been carried out on the responses to the questions which simply required a straightforward “YES/NO” answer. This was shared with the NEC when it met on the 31st May and in the interests of transparency we have attached these results for Branches.
Please note that these are only initial findings and we are not viewing this as a referendum on the questions posed. Instead, these are indicative results of where there may be support for certain changes to our structure, albeit subject to a number of caveats and reassurances that some Branches have put forward. We are now in the process of undertaking further detailed work to ensure that a comprehensive and objective assessment is made on all the information gathered.
Once the detailed analysis is complete it will be shared with the NEC, alongside a series of future policy papers with appropriate recommendations.
The NEC has agreed to make available the complete submissions to any Branch who wishes to view them and in due course we will advise Branches on how they can access this information.
The Publication of Future Policy Papers
The process outlined above and the output of the consultation will help the NEC produce a series of proactive policy papers, that taken together, will shape key elements of the Redesign Project and will enable Branches to have a clear understanding of what the union could look like in the future. These papers will be published to Branches in advance of the Special Conference in November and will cover the following areas.
- NEC structures
- Regions
- Branches
- Conferences
- Equality
- Training, Education and Learning. With regard to the Industrial Executives, further discussions will continue.
Special Conference 3rd and 4th November
Branches will be aware that the date and venue of the Special Conference was published in LTB 321/18. However, in terms of how the Conference will operate including its structure, format and delegation strengths etc., this is work in progress and discussions on this are continuing with the Standing Orders Committee and further information on this will be published in due course. Finally, for you information, we have also attached a list of those Branches who responded to the Redesign Consultation.Any enquiries on the Branch Consultation Exercise should be addressed to the General Secretary’s Office c/o Trish Lavelle at the following email address re-design@cwu.org. Any enquiries on the Special Conference should be addressed to the SDGS Department sdgs@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Redesign Branch Consultation Early Findings
As at 22/5/2018 108 Branches had responded to the consultation. An 83% response rate is extremely high in research terms and is very useful in terms of the quality and reliability of the data provided.
These initial findings set out the early quantitative findings of the consultation. These results are limited at this point to questions where there was a clear Yes/No response option. We also include the number of Branches who completed the consultation but did not provide any response to a given Yes/No question and the number of comments that these questions elicited.
Further analysis of the comments provided will produce a qualitative assessment of the views of Branches.
| Number of branches | Number of responses | % | |
| Overall | 130 | 108 | 83 |
| Postal | 88 | 78 | 89 |
| Telecoms, Financial Services | 42 | 30 | 71 |
Do you agree that we should move from an annual to biennial General Conference?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 45 | 58% | 17 | 57% | 62 | 57% |
| No | 30 | 38% | 13 | 43% | 43 | 40% |
| No response | 3 | 4% | 0 | 0% | 3 | 3% |
| Comments | 75 | 96% | 30 | 100% | 105 | 97% |
Do you believe conference should be about setting long term strategic goals and policies?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 65 | 83% | 24 | 80% | 89 | 82% |
| No | 6 | 8% | 0 | 0% | 6 | 6% |
| No response | 7 | 9% | 6 | 20% | 13 | 12% |
| Comments | 64 | 82% | 21 | 70% | 85 | 79% |
Is a motion-based conference the best way of developing policy?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 57 | 73% | 20 | 67% | 77 | 71% |
| No | 11 | 14% | 5 | 17% | 16 | 15% |
| No response | 10 | 13% | 5 | 17% | 15 | 14% |
| Comments | 63 | 81% | 24 | 80% | 87 | 81% |
Should all existing equality conferences be replaced with a single conference and how do we ensure polices on equality issues are debated by the whole union?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 54 | 69% | 17 | 57% | 71 | 66% |
| No | 17 | 22% | 11 | 37% | 28 | 26% |
| No response | 7 | 9% | 2 | 6% | 9 | 8% |
| Comments | 74 | 95% | 28 | 93% | 102 | 94% |
Should we review the way in which motions are tabled for debate within the conference agenda pad?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 51 | 65% | 16 | 53% | 67 | 62% |
| No | 20 | 26% | 9 | 30% | 29 | 27% |
| No response | 7 | 9% | 5 | 17% | 12 | 11% |
| Comments | 68 | 87% | 27 | 90% | 95 | 88% |
Considering the Branch structure as a whole and not just your own Branch, is our current Branch structure fit for purpose in terms of the ability of all Branches to adequately organise and represent our members now and in the future?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 36 | 46% | 10 | 33% | 46 | 43% |
| No | 30 | 38% | 11 | 37% | 41 | 38% |
| No response | 12 | 15% | 9 | 30% | 21 | 19% |
| Comments | 71 | 91% | 26 | 87% | 97 | 90% |
Do you agree with the 14 measures of success for an effective Branch set out on pages 11 and 12 of the Branch Section of the document?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 62 | 79% | 19 | 63% | 81 | 75% |
| No | 11 | 14% | 5 | 17% | 16 | 15% |
| No response | 5 | 6% | 6 | 20% | 11 | 10% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Should we encourage Branches to lease rather than purchase premises?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 25 | 32% | 11 | 37% | 36 | 33% |
| No | 36 | 46% | 10 | 33% | 46 | 43% |
| No response | 17 | 22% | 9 | 30% | 26 | 24% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Note: low response rate. As there was no place to comment lot of branches responses have been added to the “General comments” section
Should we encourage Branches and Regions to better share and pool resources such as premises and office facilities?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 52 | 67% | 14 | 47% | 66 | 61% |
| No | 8 | 10% | 1 | 3% | 9 | 8% |
| No response | 18 | 23% | 15 | 50% | 33 | 31% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Note: low response rate
Would there be savings and benefits for Branches in moving to a more centralised purchasing system for some resources and services that we currently purchase, lease and contract.
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 58 | 74% | 18 | 60% | 76 | 70% |
| No | 14 | 18% | 6 | 20% | 20 | 19% |
| No response | 6 | 8% | 6 | 20% | 12 | 11% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Would a single online system for storing all data relating to case work be beneficial to Branches in terms of consistency and the legal obligations that we have to comply with data protection legislation?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 62 | 79% | 20 | 67% | 82 | 76% |
| No | 10 | 13% | 7 | 23% | 17 | 16% |
| No response | 6 | 8% | 3 | 10% | 9 | 8% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
As there was no place to comment lot of branches responses have been added to the “General comments” section
Is the current Regional structure fit for purpose?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 50 | 64% | 10 | 33% | 60 | 56% |
| No | 19 | 24% | 7 | 23% | 26 | 24% |
| No response | 9 | 12% | 13 | 43% | 22 | 20% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
With regard to the role and status of the Regional Secretary, should it be appointed or elected?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Appointed | 3 | 4% | 3 | 10% | 6 | 6% |
| Elected | 72 | 92% | 20 | 67% | 92 | 85% |
| No response | 3 | 4% | 7 | 23% | 10 | 9% |
| Comments | Na | Na | Na | Na | Na | Na |
The document sets out plans to reduce the number of Regional Sub-Committees. In your view do these plans provide adequate and appropriate structures for the Regions?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 38 | 49% | 11 | 37% | 49 | 45% |
| No | 27 | 35% | 7 | 23% | 34 | 31% |
| No response | 13 | 17% | 12 | 40% | 25 | 23% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Is there any benefit to the union that the principle of decisions by consensus continues in the Regions?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 25 | 32% | 13 | 43% | 38 | 35% |
| No | 41 | 53% | 10 | 33% | 51 | 47% |
| No response | 12 | 15% | 7 | 23% | 19 | 18% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Should the Regional Secretary be responsible for carrying out a regular health check on Branches to ensure consistency and adherence to rules, and policies?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 63 | 81% | 15 | 50% | 78 | 72% |
| No | 10 | 13% | 9 | 30% | 19 | 18% |
| No response | 5 | 6% | 6 | 20% | 11 | 10% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
In line with the union policy on proportionality, do you believe the current structure of the NEC is reflective of our membership?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 29 | 37% | 8 | 27% | 37 | 34% |
| No | 42 | 54% | 16 | 53% | 58 | 54% |
| No response | 7 | 9% | 6 | 20% | 13 | 12% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Should the CWU now review the roles of the Advisory Committees (including composition, structure and objectives)?
| Postal (78) | T&FS (30) | Overall (108) | ||||
| Yes | 59 | 76% | 21 | 70% | 80 | 74% |
| No | 7 | 9% | 3 | 10% | 10 | 9% |
| No response | 12 | 15% | 6 | 20% | 18 | 17% |
| Comments | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA | NA |
Branch Responses
| NAME OF BRANCHES | |
| 01001 ESSEX AMAL BRANCH | |
| 01002 COLCHESTER & DISTRICT BRANCH | |
| 01003 EASTERN NO 3 BRANCH | |
| 01004 EASTERN NO 4 BRANCH | |
| 01005 EASTERN NO 5 BRANCH | |
| 01006 EASTERN NO 6 BRANCH | |
| 01008 SUFFOLK AMAL BRANCH | |
| 01009 SOUTH CENTRAL POSTAL BRANCH | |
| 02001 BIRMINGHAM DIST AMAL BRANCH | |
| 02002 SOUTH MIDLANDS POSTAL BRANCH | |
| 02003 LEICESTERSHIRE BRANCH | |
| 02005 WOLVERHAMPTON & DIST AMAL BRANCH | |
| 02006 DERBYSHIRE BRANCH | |
| 02007 MIDLAND NO 7 BRANCH | |
| 02008 NOTTINGHAM & DIST AMAL BRANCH | |
| 03001 DONCASTER & DISTRICT AMAL BRANCH | |
| 03002 SOUTH YORKSHIRE & DISTRICT AMAL BRANCH | |
| 03003 BRADFORD & DISTRICT AMAL BRANCH | |
| 03005 LEEDS NO 1 AMAL BRANCH | |
| 03006 YORK & DISTRICT AMAL BRANCH | |
| 03007 HULL/EAST RIDINGS AMAL BRANCH | |
| 03008 NEWCASTLE AMAL BRANCH | |
| 03009 DARLINGTON AMAL BRANCH | |
| 03010 CLEVELAND AMAL BRANCH | |
| 03011 DURHAM COUNTY BRANCH | |
| 04001 NORTHERN IRELAND COMBINED BRANCH | |
| 04003 NORTHERN IRELAND WEST BRANCH | |
| 05003 CHESHIRE NO 1 AMAL BRANCH | |
| 05004 NORTH WEST CENTRAL AMAL BRANCH | |
| 05006 GREATER MANCHESTER BRANCH | |
| 05007 NORTH WEST NO 1 BRANCH | |
| 05010 EAST LANCS AMAL BRANCH | |
| 05011 NORTH LANCS & CUMBRIA BRANCH | |
| 05012 DARWEN CAPITA BRANCH | |
| 05013 WARRINGTON MAIL CENTRE BRANCH | |
| 06001 GLASGOW DIST AMAL BRANCH | |
| 06002 SCOTLAND NO 2 BRANCH | |
| 06003 GRAMPIAN/SHETLAND AMAL BRANCH | |
| 06005 SCOTLAND NO 5 BRANCH | |
| 06006 CLYDE VALLEY AMAL BRANCH | |
| 06008 HIGHLAND AMAL BRANCH | |
| 07002 PORTSMOUTH & DISTRICT POSTAL BRANCH | |
| 07004 KENT INVICTA BRANCH | |
| 07005 SOUTH EAST NO 5 BRANCH | |
| 08001 WESTERN COUNTIES BRANCH | |
| 08002 PLYMOUTH/EAST CORNWALL AMAL BRANCH | |
| 08003 BOURNEMOUTH & DORSET AMAL BRANCH | |
| 08004 WESSEX SOUTH CENTRAL BRANCH | |
| 08005 BRISTOL & DIST AMAL BRANCH | |
| 08006 GLOUCESTERSHIRE AMAL BRANCH | |
| 08007 SOUTH WEST NO 7 BRANCH | |
| 08009 JERSEY BRANCH | |
| 08010 GUERNSEY BRANCH | |
| 08011 WORCESTER & HEREFORD AMAL BRANCH | |
| 08012 CORNWALL AMAL BRANCH | |
| 09001 NORTH WALES & MARCHES BRANCH | |
| 09003 SOUTH EAST WALES AMAL BRANCH | |
| 09004 SOUTH WEST WALES AMAL BRANCH | |
| 09005 GWENT AMAL BRANCH | |
| 10002 MOUNT PLEASANT BRANCH | |
| 10004 LONDON PHOENIX BRANCH | |
| 10009 NHC POSTAL BRANCH | |
| 10011 LONDON PARCELS & STATION AMAL BRANCH | |
| 10012 NORTHERN/NORTH WEST LONDON BRANCH | |
| 10013 EAST LONDON POSTAL BRANCH | |
| 10016 SOUTH EAST LDN PTL & CTR BRANCH | |
| 10017 LONDON SOUTH WEST BRANCH | |
| 10018 KINGSTON AREA BRANCH | |
| 10020 HARROW & DISTRICT BRANCH | |
| 10021 SOUTH & EAST THAMES AMAL BRANCH | |
| 10022 CROYDON & SUTTON AMAL BRANCH | |
| 10023 S W MIDDLESEX AMAL BRANCH | |
| 21006 SOUTH CENTRAL MT BRANCH | |
| 21819 CENTRAL COUNTIES & THAMES VALLEY BRANCH | |
| 21827 SOUTH EAST ANGLIA BRANCH | |
| 21831 NORTH ANGLIA BRANCH | |
| 22032 MIDLAND NO 1 BRANCH | |
| 22238 LEICESTER & MIDSHIRES BRANCH | |
| 22239 MIDLANDS MT BRANCH | |
| 22601 ALGUS NATIONAL BRANCH | |
| 22803 EAST MIDLANDS BRANCH | |
| 22809 COVENTRY BRANCH | |
| 23404 SOUTH YORKSHIRE BRANCH | |
| 23669 TYNE & WEAR CLERICAL BRANCH | |
| 23727 BRADFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES BRANCH | |
| 23808 NORTH EAST BRANCH | |
| 23817 LINCOLNSHIRE & SOUTH YORKS BRANCH | |
| 23830 WEST YORKSHIRE BRANCH | |
| 24024 NORTHERN IRELAND TELECOMS BRANCH | |
| 25274 MANCHESTER COMBINED BRANCH | |
| 25730 BOOTLE FINANCIAL SERVICES BRANCH | |
| 25732 Northern and National Financial Services Branch | |
| 25821 LANCS AND CUMBRIA BRANCH | |
| 26156 GLASGOW & MOTHERWELL BRANCH | |
| 26157 SCOTLAND MT BRANCH | |
| 26825 EDINBURGH DUNDEE & BORDERS BRANCH | |
| 26829 SCOTLAND NO 1 BRANCH | |
| 27049 SOUTH EAST CENTRAL BRANCH | |
| 27353 PORTS W SUSSEX & I O W BRANCH | |
| 28459 SOMERSET DEVON & CORNWALL BRANCH | |
| 28828 GREAT WESTERN BRANCH | |
| 29807 MID WALES THE MARCHES & N STAFFS BRANCH | |
| 29823 SOUTH WALES BRANCH | |
| 30122 LDN REGIONAL MT BRANCH | |
| 30252 GREATER LONDON COMBINED BRANCH | |
| 30255 LONDON POSTAL ENG BRANCH | |
| 30811 LONDON AND WEST BRANCH | |
| 30834 SOUTH LDN SURREY & NORTH HAMPSHIRE BRANCH | |
| 45001 GREATER MERSEY & S W LANCS AMAL BRANCH |
18LTB 343 Redesign Branch Consultation Special Conference 3rd and 4th November 2018