Postal conference morning round-up

[fishtank]

Postal conference morning round-up

Deputy general secretary Dave Ward told delegates that the UK postal industry is entering "a new era" as postal conference opened in Bournemouth this morning.

"Privatisation in any form is not in the interests of our members, the public or the industry as a whole," he explained, "and it's right that we're reinvigorating our campaign against it."

Alongside the continuing fight against the sale, the union will also fight to ensure that members' rights are fully protected in case the privateers do come into Royal Mail.

"We must be prepared to face anything that comes our way," he continued, "and we will argue against a break up of Royal Mail, for job security and the security of pensions to be legal obligations and, whatever commercial environment we're in, the CWU must remain central."

With this programme of demands in mind, Dave outlined proposals from the postal executive to hold a policy forum later this year, at which senior officers, regional, divisional and local reps will attend, to discuss how the union can move this agenda forward.

But suggestions of a "new governance model that embeds the union at all levels" of Royal Mail met with opposition from delegates who argued that this could compromise the independence of the union.

Moving a resolution opposing this idea, Bristol branch delegate Dave Wilshire (pictured left) said: "I didn't join this union to go on a management board and if there are any frustrated managers out there, you need to become a manager."

And Chris Webb, speaking for the South Wales and South West Division, also voiced concerns at the proposal, arguing: "We represent our members' interests - not those of Royal Mail."

But Newcastle Amal's John Woodhouse (pictured right) backed the executive's position, and urged delegates to support the holding of a policy forum.

"We need to see the governance structure proposals first," he insisted.

And Mark Walsh, from Merseyside, PTS territorial rep Alan Tate and David Banbury from Kent Invicta Branch also spoke out in support of the executive.

Dave Ward urged conference to back the policy forum proposal and warned that supporting the South Wales and South West position would "put this union out of the game."

If the CWU ruled out taking part in new governance structures, then other unions would, he cautioned, and then went on to list the potential advantages that participation could bring.

"What about a pensions board, a safety board or a one on new products and services?" Dave suggested - pointing out in each example that this could be beneficial to the interests of the membership.

"We're in similar circumstances to what the print industry and the mining industry faced and we can't solve all of these issues solely by strike.

"We do have to find solutions and I don't really trust the company to do that on their own," he explained.

At the end of the debate, delegates voted by a margin of around two to one in favour of the executive's resolution and preparations will begin soon for the policy forum.

On pay claims, conference resolved that the union would not accept any attempt by the employers to link remuneration policy to the Government's 1 per cent public-sector limit.

Another key issue discussed this morning was Royal Mail's "World Class Mail" (WCM) initiative - a motion calling for outright opposition to WCM was narrowly voted down, but the union is committed to dealing with the problems that are occurring and is seeking a national agreement over the issue.

And a busy morning saw further debates tackling sick leave arrangements, granting of special leave and bullying and harassment policy.

[fishtank]

"new governance model that embeds the union at all levels"

[POSTMAN]

Time to go,the union still think Royal mail listen to them,unfuckingbelievable.

[fishtank]

Time to go,the union still think Royal mail listen to them,unfuckingbelievable.

Things have changed...or maybe it was always like this but now they can't even be arsed hiding it but it's not for me.
I'll stay in,keep going at a local level but the rest of it can go f**k itself.

[DGP1]

Time to go,the union still think Royal mail listen to them,unfuckingbelievable.

Things have changed...or maybe it was always like this but now they can't even be arsed hiding it but it's not for me.
I'll stay in,keep going at a local level but the rest of it can go f**k itself.

Local reps are the only thing that keeps the majority of us in.

[Glenno]

At the end of the debate, delegates voted by a margin of around two to one in favour of the executive's resolution and preparations will begin soon for the policy forum.
All becoming clear to me now, this is NOT a good move

[BoltonPostie]

And a busy morning saw further debates tackling sick leave arrangements, granting of special leave and bullying and harassment policy.

just how long DID they spend on these issues?
Still prattle on about World Class mail for hours on end which not many ordinary grunts could give two f***s about though.
Still the sandwiches where nice!

[fishtank]

At the end of the debate, delegates voted by a margin of around two to one in favour of the executive's resolution and preparations will begin soon for the policy forum.
All becoming clear to me now, this is NOT a good move

I think there should be a motion at next years conference barring any National Officer who takes a position on any form of Royal Mail board from any negotiating position within the CWU.
You cannot have two seats at the negotiating table...it's a clear conflict of interest.

[Stormproof]

Still the sandwiches where nice!

there was'nt any sarnies, but we've still got tomorrow and thursday to go. The issues were'nt rushed through I can assure you of that. There were a number of withdrawls though.

[POSTMAN]

Withdrawls?? Cash machines = pubs.

[brothermagrew]

Scotland's national bard was spot on - Such a parcel of rogues.

[Glenno]

At the end of the debate, delegates voted by a margin of around two to one in favour of the executive's resolution and preparations will begin soon for the policy forum.
All becoming clear to me now, this is NOT a good move

I think there should be a motion at next years conference barring any National Officer who takes a position on any form of Royal Mail board from any negotiating position within the CWU.
You cannot have two seats at the negotiating table...it's a clear conflict of interest.

I'll second that motion

[dvbuk55]

What surprises me is that people are surprised at the role the CWU has designated for itself, the move has been ongoing for 5 years. The bullshit just isn't as deep as it was, although we still get that "this is in the members interests", though quite how that is hasn't ever been explained. What is quite clear is the campaign against privatisation will be weak because at the end of the day the CWU will have a nice little niche within RMs structure, private or public.

I think I explained many times that I was a member of the GMB prior to the privatisation of the ESI and believe you me there are shades of the same duplicity and claims of members interests.

Makes you wonder how decent, intelligent people can still suppport this bunch of charlatans.

[Cut Off King]

John Woodhouse & Mark Walsh, now there's 2 people who are saying the right things to get to the top !

[BELIAL]

Postal conference morning round-up


Dave Ward urged conference to back the policy forum proposal and warned that supporting the South Wales and South West position would "put this union out of the game."

Sounds a bit like "there is no plan B" .
I can see it now ,senior union and management walking off into the sun kissed uplands hand in hand their pockets stuffed with loot after they've reaped the rich rewards bestowed by a BT style flotation.