GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF COMPETITION – THE HOOPER REPORT

[lovejoy]

GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF COMPETITION – THE HOOPER REPORT

The Postal Executive recognises the delay in publicising the Hooper Report is not at all helpful and is causing understandable frustration across the Union.

We contacted the Review Team and were advised that although the report had taken longer to finalise than originally anticipated, the final decision on publication rests with Government. This was also confirmed to us in a meeting with Lord Mandelson, Secretary of State for Business.

During the same meeting Lord Mandelson told us he may consider extending the remit of the Report if it did not provide solutions to the key problems facing Royal Mail. He said that in his view the main problems were the growing pension crisis and market decline. He further stated that Government did accept they had a responsibility to resolve the pension deficit - but that in their view this could only be achieved through the injection of some form of private equity.

The Union responded by saying we intended to hold Government to account on pensions – including reversing the company’s imposed pension reforms – but that we could not support any form of privatisation. We reminded Lord Mandelson of the policy endorsed at Labour Party Conference, which is to maintain the Royal Mail Group as an integrated and wholly publicly owned company.

We also reminded Lord Mandelson that it was the Government’s decision to introduce unfair competition, earlier than the rest of Europe, which has been instrumental in creating financial instability, placing the USO at risk and led to Royal Mail running down services and attacking Postal Workers’ terms and conditions.

It is a fact that whatever the outcome of the Hooper Report, Government will determine when or if it is published and what policies are implemented.

In light of all the aforementioned developments the Postal Executive believe it is virtually impossible to move forward our key policies without political intervention and the Union being involved in a process of direct talks with Government.

We also believe we cannot allow Government drift to continue and that we must take decisive action to bring the position with Government to a head.

Therefore, the Postal Executive has unanimously agreed that the overriding priority in the campaign is to immediately achieve a process of direct and meaningful dialogue with Government.

We have written to Lord Mandelson and Pat McFadden requesting that talks now take place immediately. The Postal Executive is very aware of how the issues reported above place a severe strain on our future relationship with the Labour Party. In order to ensure negotiations commence we are writing to the Chair of the Labour Party, Harriet Harman.

On December 9th we have arranged a Parliamentary Briefing of Labour MP’s on all the issues. We are also continuing to co-ordinate with UNITE the Union, a meeting has been arranged with Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley on November 27th.

We will advise you of further developments in due course.

Yours sincerely


Billy Hayes Dave Ward
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (P)

[dvbuk55]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It does look though that they are starting to turn the screw (although not that fast or tight yet) and hinting towards the PLP that the membership may decide to stop giving them money.

[dvbuk55]

It does look though that they are starting to turn the screw (although not that fast or tight yet) and hinting towards the PLP that the membership may decide to stop giving them money.

"Hinting" - they shouldn't be pussy footing about. The report has obviously been seen by Ministers and is of one of two persuasions:

a. It does not fulfil the Governments ambitions.
b. It is so bad that they dare not publish it.

Quite obviously the pensions deficit has a major impact on any idea of a sell off without a "sweetener". Many companies used to be sold and acquired merely because of the pension fund - our pension fund is in dire straits and is more than likely to get worse.

As the Duke of Boots once said "Publish and be damned".

[brothermagrew]

As the Duke of Boots once said "Publish and be damned".

Arthur Wellesley I presume?

[BELIAL]

Thanks for the info Lovejoy.

[dvbuk55]

As the Duke of Boots once said "Publish and be damned".

Arthur Wellesley I presume?

Presumed correctly - BUT - did you know he was born in Dublin? Which belies the usual adage.

[Big Daz]

Quote

The Postal Executive is very aware of how the issues reported above place a severe strain on our future relationship with the Labour Party.

If those at the top are saying that then things are not looking good otherwise the GS would be singing the praises of Labour!

[dvbuk55]

Quote

The Postal Executive is very aware of how the issues reported above place a severe strain on our future relationship with the Labour Party.

If those at the top are saying that then things are not looking good otherwise the GS would be singing the praises of Labour!

If those at the top of what? Even a fool knows when to hold his tongue, the rank and file are disenchanted with Gordon's Government and quite rightly so and no amount of scouse rhetoric is going to change that.

[dpb]

CWU have written a letter to Mandy requesting an audiance

Discisive action?

His Lordship must be bricking it ! I can hear the printing rolling in to action now........er, I think

[DGP1]

I don't think it really matters what is in the Hooper Report because whatever it is it'll be badly implemented by our incompetent management after all they had years to get things right but have only managed to make things worse.

[Glenno]

HOOPER REPORT LATEST.............. Royal mail P L C is F U # # E D !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Yahoorsur]

'He further stated that Government did accept they had a responsibility to resolve the pension deficit - but that in their view this could only be achieved through the injection of some form of private equity'

So it's alright to bail out RBS etc with 20 Billion of taxpayers money,after thae bankers like Goodwin made a hash of running the bank,but to help working men and women achieve a decent pension....No sorry we cant do that,


'We have written to Lord Mandelson and Pat McFadden requesting that talks now take place immediately. The Postal Executive is very aware of how the issues reported above place a severe strain on our future relationship with the Labour Party. In order to ensure negotiations commence we are writing to the Chair of the Labour Party, Harriet Harman'.


Talks about what? Mandy has already stated that he wants private equity to come to the rescue of RM,he has already made up his mind,I sincerley do wish the postal executive well in trying to bring this matter to a head,but I aint gonna hold my breath hoping for Nu Labour to come up with a solution that will be to our liking