BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Transcription

1 Support & Advice BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP Representation close at hand Legal & Medical Department Insurance Services Other benefits

2 CONTENTS An invitation to join Join your colleagues Communication Workers Friendly Society CWU Shop Who cares? WE DO The Legal & Medical Department Unity Banking Elstead Hotel - Bournemouth Personal Notes Join The CWU Today The CWU is the Union which represents you The Communication Workers Union represents members in a number of businesses throughout the communication industry. There are in excess of 200,000 members in the CWU organised into Branches around the country. The CWU was created in January 1995 following a merger of the National Communication Union and the Union of Communication Workers. The CWU is the largest and fastest growing union in the communication and information technology industries. It represents employees working in Post Office Ltd, Royal Mail, Parcelforce, Girobank, British Telecom and over 100 other separate companies. The CWU offers all of the benefits that you would expect from a good Trade Union and many you might not.

3 AN INVITATION TO JOIN Join your colleagues Thousands of postal and telecom workers know that being part of a successful union is a sensible move. The CWU is dedicated to representing your interests and protecting your working conditions. Your colleagues are already in the CWU WHY DON T YOU JOIN THEM? Representation close at hand Our large network of trained representatives includes 3,500 local representatives who like you, work for the company. So you ll never far away from someone who can offer speedy advice and assistance. We are a modern union - but we have experience of representing Post Office and British Telecom workers since the middle of the nineteenth century. Support & Advice We hope that you ll never need some of our services - but anyone can find themselves in unfortunate circumstances. For that reason we represent our members on all issues regarding Terms and Conditions and at Disciplinary interviews. We are also extremely successful in winning cases of unfair dismissals at Employment Tribunals. As a CWU member, these valuable services are free to you. If detailed help is needed, the CWU s expert Field Officers are ready to step in. In short - we re there to help you when you need it.

4 JOIN YOUR COLLEAGUES Campaigning The CWU is a first-class effective campaigning organisation. We ran one of the most successful campaigns in modern history when postal workers feared selling off the Post Office would lead to huge job loses. Our campaign against privatisation of the Post Office not only achieved all of its objectives - it was praised by the advertising industry, lobbyists and Trader Unions across the country. Now it is considered a model of how modern campaigns should be run. Other Benefits We have a top class professional Legal Services department giving exclusive assistance to CWU members and their dependents. Further information is available elsewhere in this book. The CWU owns an extremely comfortable three star award winning hotel in Bournemouth. As a CWU member you are eligible for preferential rates. In addition, the CWU has negotiated a range of financial benefits exclusive to CWU members, these include mortgages, loans and CWU credit cards. For more information see your Branch Secretary. Keeping in touch Obviously, as a major force in the communications industry the CWU is keen to keep in regular touch with its members. Every CWU member receives a copy of the highly successful union journal, the CWU Voice delivered to their home. Your membership also entitles you to vote for the people you want to represent you. Opportunity We want you to join us because the Union can only remain an effective voice for communication workers with your support. Join us today by completing the application form enclosed and then pass it to your Representative so that your membership can be recorded at the Branch Office and with CWU Headquarters.

5 The Communication Workers Friendly Society sold its first policy to a postman in We are pleased to say that since then the CWFS has gone from strength to strength, providing products that benefit the members for those special times in life. These include:- Retirement, a dream holiday, a future wedding or your children s future. We are regulated by the Personal Investment Authority, which means customer protection is paramount. The development of our computerised system helps ensure that the service we provide is second to none. The Society has a fully trained sales force who were all CWU Officials. They have been trained to the highest standard and have earned the title of Financial Adviser. They provide the best advice possible to the members on CWFS products. Your direct line for all services is FREEPHONE Phone for the following Life & Savings (for you and your family) Loan Service (policy holders of one year or more) Holiday Insurance (make sure you re properly covered) For Car and Household phone : UIA on (quote ref: 110)

6 CWU SHOP Welcome to the CWU Shop, we offer a wide range of goods for CWU members. For further information and the latest prices contact the Branch Office. Branch Official Pin Gold or Membership Pin Silver Navy Fleece, M/L, Grey Fleece, L/XL & Sports Bag Polo Shirt Sky Blue M&L V-Neck T-shirt Navy L & XL Manicure Set & Ladies Purse

7 Golf towel & Golf Umbrella in Burgundy Travel Wallet & Phone Holder/ Paperweight Conference/Laptop Bag & Leather Credit Card Holder Deluxe Papermate Pen with presentation box & Mega Grip Pens, (Black, Purple, Blue) PROMOTIONAL GOODS

8 WHO CARES? WE DO As a member of the Communication Workers Union, you have at your disposal the services of the Legal & Medical Department.This Department and its experienced staff will give you and your family dependants every assistance with day to day problems thus alleviating the need to get involved in heavy legal costs with local solicitors. Claims for Damages for Personal Injury The Union may take a claim for personal injury, if there is a valid claim against a third party. Criminal Injury If you are the victim of an unprovoked assault, whether on or off duty, then the Union can assist with a claim to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority. Solicitors Advice on Non- Work Related Matters.. The CWU Legal Service Dept in conjunction with its approved panel of solicitors make sure that if you or your family have an accident you can register the details with them quickly and easily over the telephone by ringing a Helpline number. This is a totally free service without Legal or any other costs associated. Disability Benefits If you are injured as a result of an accident at work, you can claim disablement from the DSS if they accept it as an industrial injury. If you wish to appeal against the DSS s assessment, provided the initial award is 10 per cent or more, we will ensure that you are represented by the Union.

9 THE LEGAL & MEDICAL DEPARTMENT Road Traffic Act Defence/ Drivers Protection Scheme If you are charged with a road traffic offence whilst driving your vehicle on duty, we may give you legal representation if we think a not guilty plea is appropriate or give you Solicitor s advice on mitigation. However speeding, alcohol and drug related offences and infringement of the seat belt laws are not covered by the scheme. Bandit Attacks If you are robbed on duty whilst carrying company cash, the Union s bandit attack insurance policy pays out a weekly sum up to a total of 104 weeks of sick leave and a capital sum in the event of death. This scheme gives peace of mind to all members, especially postal workers who are having to make claims following a rise in the number of robberies. Personal Accident Insurance Scheme Employees of the Post Office, BT and Girobank are covered against personal injuries by the employer. BT provides 24 hour cover but the Post Office only covers onduty accidents. The Union are urging the Post Office to adopt a 24 hour scheme. Criminal Defence on Duty If you are charged with a criminal offence whilst on duty and cannot get Legal Aid to cover all your costs we may still be able to help depending on the circumstances. Medical Retirement/Non Retention over 60.. If you wish to appeal against medical retirement, the Union may take up your case. Although there is no Appeals process in BT for retention, there is a Grievance Procedure and various other processes in other business units that can be used.

10 MEMBERSHIPS BENEFITS FOR CWU inancial assistance fis just a phone call away. Pensions and Financial Planning Mortgage Arrangements Motor Insurance New Unity Road Rescue Home and Travel Insurance Personal Accident Personal Loans Credit Cards Holiday and Travel Club Unity Share Dealings Unity Tax Services

11 Pensions and Financial Planning Specific advice from Qualified Financial Advisers. Mortgage Arrangements We find the mortgage that s best for you. Motor Insurance Peace of mind, at a competitive price. New Unity Road Rescue Helping a member out of trouble every 7 seconds. Home and Travel Insurance High quality, cost effective cover. Personal Accident Financial protection when you need it most. Personal Loans Flexible Loans that you can afford. Credit Cards An attractive APR with the powerful benefits of a Unity First MasterCard*. Holiday and Travel Club Huge discounts from the comfort of you home. Unity Share Dealings Stress free buying and selling of shares. Unity Tax Services Expert advice and help with tax returns. See your Branch Secretary for telephone numbers or more information

12 Elstead hotel Take a break at Bournemouth s best Award winning 3 star hotel Offering a superb indoor leisure complex and pool, delicious home cooked food and 50 elegantly refurbished en suite bedrooms. Special rates for CWU members Children under 12 sharing parents room pay only for their meals. A good deal more from the CWU s own hotel Elstead Hotel Knyveton Road Bournemouth BH1 3QP t: f:

13 PERSONAL NOTES Name Address Phone Number Branch Branch Secretary Name and Number Local Rep s Name Membership No. Pay Number National Insurance No.

14 GENERAL CONFERENCE AGENDA Published & designed by South East Region C.W.U. Printed by Butterfly Litho Limited