JOINT STATEMENT POST OFFICE, CWU AND UNITE: Social Distancing in Supply Chain
No. 001/2021
Dear Colleagues
POST OFFICE: SUPPLY CHAIN – SOCIAL DISTANCING – JOINT STATEMENT
Branches are advised that the following Joint Statement regarding social distancing in
Supply Chain (all workplaces) has been published:
JOINT STATEMENT POST OFFICE, CWU AND UNITE
Social Distancing in Supply Chain
Post Office, Unite and CWU are continuing to work together to ensure we
prioritise making the workplace as Covid-secure as possible. Our aim in
collaboratively working is to enable us to react quickly to any challenges that
arise.
As essential workers we all recognise the importance of continuing to operate,
especially as many in society and across local communities and in particular the
most vulnerable rely on us to provide the services they need.
It’s clear that we are seeing infection rates climb and areas being hit by this
new strain of highly contagious CV-19, and we have also seen more areas move
into Tier 4 lockdown as a means to slow down and control the rate of infection.
The Health, Safety and Wellbeing of colleagues is our number one priority so it
is essential that everyone follows the advice that has been given, utilising
without fail the PPE that is in place to protect us all. Therefore, everyone must
continue to follow the guidance below:
• Everyone must respect each other’s space and maintain social distancing at
all times. It is easy to forget this when dealing with an issue or when
engrossed in work, but it is essential we keep those safe distances between
each other.
• Continue to follow the good advice on keeping hands clean at all times.
Regular washing with soap and water or hand sanitiser, wearing gloves
where available and being mindful when touching common surfaces such as
door handles etc.
• Wear a face mask when you are moving around operational units – ideally
keep one on at all times you are in the workplace, but absolutely wear one
without fail when moving into communal areas.
• Ensure that before you enter a room it is safe to do so – no small meeting
room should ever have more than 2 people in at a time, rest areas such as
staff canteens should have a maximum of 5 people who continue to be
socially distanced at all times this may mean break times need to be
staggered.
• Signing on areas and entry / exit points should also be limited to no more
than 1-2 people at a time.
• Continue to reach out to your manager, union safety reps or safety
champion and highlight anything that puts colleagues at risk.
• Car sharing should not be undertaken under any circumstances unless those
sharing the car are in the same support bubbles – use face masks and keep
windows slightly open to ensure that air is moving constantly.
• Ensure you are following the Tier advice that pertains to your own area of
residency and when you are out and about continue to follow the Hands
/Face / Space message at all times.
The next 4-8 weeks are going to be crucial in order to continue to keep
ourselves, our Postmasters, our DMB colleagues and customers safe and well,
while efforts continue to bring the rate of infection down.
We will of course carefully monitor all related developments from government
and communicate these accordingly. If you are unsure or need further
clarification on the above, please speak to your manager or union rep who will
advise you. You can also find further details on the Hub Coronavirus microsite
or government Covid19 website.
Russell Hancock Phil Savage Andy Furey
Supply Chain Director Unite the Union CWU Assistant Secretary
Post Office
Branches and Representatives are urged to bring this LTB and associated Joint
Statement to the attention of our Post Office Supply Chain members.
Yours sincerely
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
LTB
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