Appeals to our better nature - a response

[rhino49]

I have been faced with several RM generated publicity items at our office on the themes of "We will be forced to seek an alternative" and " This strike could ruin our small business".

They are the usual bits of bullshit (Alan Leightons favourite word) that are supposed to tug at our heartstrings and make us have second thoughts about the serious damage we would do to Royal Mail, it's customers and the economy in general. Well - I've got news for you out there. For that last 15 years Royal Mail have reduced our job security and benefits and slyly, our pensions, customers have had the cheapest and most efficient postal service in the world and recently, a supposed plethora of alternative and "competitive" options to choose from (laughs uncontrollably), and the economy has benefited from the vast sums that were not paid into our pension fund and the profits we were not supposed to make as a public service that were no doubt sent to some useless utility or government project that needed a lift. Just WHERE did all that money go?

Customers are not complaining about not being able to have items delivered by Royal Mail - they are complaining about the probability of having to pay the going rate for delivery by one of our so called competition. Get real - your cheap prices and super service have been paid for by our hard work and continual reduction in our terms and conditions.

We are not asking for a pay rise - most of us have accepted that in the current economic climate, we should hang on until things improve. Our dispute is about how many of us will still be here and will still be physically fit enough to do the job when things do improve. Most offices now are carrying walking wounded - posties who through overwork are in continual pain or discomfort but who cannot take time for recovery because of RM's brutal sickness and absenteeism policies and because they are pushed beyond reasonable physical limits.

We have in past scenarios of this type been a soft touch, perhaps through a genuine willingness to help the business and our customers or through a naivete born of misunderstanding the mission of those at the top to build a company of yes men who would ride to self destruction on the tails of their masters. Many (but not all) middle management, who in truth should have just as much concern for our welfare as our union does, have taken what they perceive as a safe option and unquestioningly follow instructions from above and then withhold the truth of the situation from senior managers in the hope that all the problems will go away. The problems will go away - and your jobs will go with them - you are no more indispensable than we are to Royal Mail - and probably less useful.

The business, the government and our customers need to understand that we have our lives invested in Royal Mail, most of us don't want to leave after a three or five year spell in a comfy chair with a bulging bank account stuffed with dubious bonuses - we want a secure full time SAFE job that pays our bills, feeds our families and gives us a good feeling when we have completed a days work that we are proud of.

People die for good causes - not for bad companies.

[tailfly12]

Well said.

[DUNDEEPOSTIE]

Agreed 100%. I and probably 99.9% of our members want to be part of a successful company, that takes into account the needs of our customers, and listens to them aswell as having the time to speak to them! Most importantly delivers their mail at a reasonable time, not after 2pm!
I for one are fed up reading various discussion threads, be it the BBC or Sky to name but a few and finding we are the villans of this mess. When all we want to do is protect the system from further decline.
Add to that the constant bullying and harrassment and veil threats from management everyday where colleagues genuinely off ill are badgered on an almost dailly basis as to when they will return! Where guys are told: No you cannot attend that necessary Hospital Appointment due to Operational Requirements! Another favourite in our office: "If you don't come in on your rest day, you'll be laughing on the other side of your face when you come back to find 2 days mail in the frame!"

Sorry: Rant Over.

[k979aaa]

Not off my back!.

[jacee]

[Darren Bent]

A successive happy work force is much better than the one we have at the moment. I don't buy that business can't survive on one day of missing post. Everyone know if they need the good quick there is always high street and co.