Union attendance plan

[Idk]

So only union members get a vote on what each office is going to work out of the 9 choices, non union members just have to accept what's chosen.

Is that even legal?

[yellowbelly]

So only union members get a vote on what each office is going to work out of the 9 choices, non union members just have to accept what's chosen.

Is that even legal?

Wouldn't have thought legality comes into it really.

It hadn't crossed my mind but if you consider it's an element of a 'collective agreement' negotiated by the Union then why not?

[tansorboy]

When do we vote?

[yellowbelly]

When do we vote?

That depends on:

a. When you receive your ballot paper.
b. When you get round to it.

But this is the timetable:

LTB 124/26 – BALLOT TIMETABLE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF THE TWO DRPS ON USO AND EQUALISATION
No. 124/26

27th April 2026

Dear Colleagues,

BALLOT TIMETABLE FOR THE RESOLUTION OF THE TWO DRPS ON USO AND EQUALISATION

We are pleased to announce the timetable for the consultative ballot on the resolution of USO and the equalisation of new entrants’ pay, terms and conditions.

Ballot papers will be dispatched on 11th May 2026.
The ballot will close on 29th May 2026.
The ballot result will be announced at 17:00 on 29th May 2026.
Those eligible to vote on the agreement will be all members who work in UK operations.

There will be an additional vote for new entrant members to vote on the first step.

Any enquiries relating to the content of this LTB should be referred to the DGSP department hford@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely,

Martin Walsh

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

[A2B]

So only union members get a vote on what each office is going to work out of the 9 choices, non union members just have to accept what's chosen.

Is that even legal?

I was told this a while back by our rep and was curious if it was legit

I doubt we will get 9 choices in our office

[billycat]

At the office I work at our rep has told us out of the 9 choices we have are 2 which the one we’re on now or the 2 in 5 sat off I’m one of 3 duties on a nine day fortnight the union have posted that anybody currently on a 4 day week or the wallington week can remain on these duties I’ve asked the question on Royal Mail chat hoping to get an answer on whether I can stay on my current duty pattern.

[Perseus]

Why can't the vote be taken as chance to move ONTO a Wallington week?
Seems unfair that people can keep theirs (fair enough) but others can't join in.

[qwerty2]

So only union members get a vote on what each office is going to work out of the 9 choices, non union members just have to accept what's chosen.

Is that even legal?

Bull…. Everyone in the office gets a vote on changes

[A2B]

Why can't the vote be taken as chance to move ONTO a Wallington week?
Seems unfair that people can keep theirs (fair enough) but others can't join in.

Wasn't the original plan that everyone (excluding Sunday workers?) had to be on the same shift pattern?

Wallington shift works in a group of 6, 5 people on a set duty and 1 to cover the 5 rest weeks. Might not be possible to introduce into some offices

[ted_e_bear]

Why can't the vote be taken as chance to move ONTO a Wallington week?
Seems unfair that people can keep theirs (fair enough) but others can't join in.

Wasn't the original plan that everyone (excluding Sunday workers?) had to be on the same shift pattern?

Wallington shift works in a group of 6, 5 people on a set duty and 1 to cover the 5 rest weeks. Might not be possible to introduce into some offices

I think in the details it says something like 80% of the office have to be on the same attendance so that suggests Wallington's could be possible but it also says Wallington's can only be retained if an office already has them so who knows, it's looking like they want to only implement something thats the same in the majority just like they wanted a 'standard' 1 in 6.

[Perseus]

Why can't the vote be taken as chance to move ONTO a Wallington week?
Seems unfair that people can keep theirs (fair enough) but others can't join in.

Wasn't the original plan that everyone (excluding Sunday workers?) had to be on the same shift pattern?

Wallington shift works in a group of 6, 5 people on a set duty and 1 to cover the 5 rest weeks. Might not be possible to introduce into some offices

oh, I get the fact that it might not be suitable for all offices but it would work in lots, many which would jump at the chance.
A couple of the 9 choices only apply to those already on these types of shifts, some require 100% driving staff, so the '9' choices are normally only half or less than that.

[A2B]

We have a lot of new contract workers now who can't do a Wallington duty pattern, I'd guess that the same goes for a lot of offices

[tramssirhc]

So only union members get a vote on what each office is going to work out of the 9 choices, non union members just have to accept what's chosen.

Is that even legal?

There are conditions to the 9 choices which in reality will reduce what is put to a vote. The agreement is that only CWU members will be enfranchised and vote on the attendance pattern. Working conditions are part of the contract of employment which also states that conditions are negotiated with the CWU for the grades it has bargaining rights for.

The legality of the agreement could be tested as there will be many workers who have been disenfranchised by this agreement. In many workplaces the density is so low the decision to only enfranchise CWU members is highly questionable. If you are unhappy with the agreement you have two choices - join the CWU or test the agreement through one of the policies.

[tramssirhc]

So only union members get a vote on what each office is going to work out of the 9 choices, non union members just have to accept what's chosen.

Is that even legal?

Of course the CWU members could act to defend the non members if they wished. The idea that workers who do not join the CWU or who have left the CWU are not trade unionists, socialists, comrades is nonsense. The CWU is stuffed with reactionary right wing anti-working class members whose application to join the 'union' should have been rejected. There is absolutely no victory for the CWU with the decision to enfranchise only their members. The decision is part of the plan to make the CWU enforce a way of working that is opposed by workers. The CWU is a function of the industry and is not an independent free from interference trade union.