strike!

[fishtank]

If members in your office or others now don't support the strike then clearly they were not aware of what the union is fighting for.

If we have more or less resolved the pay,protection and pension issues that really only leaves the delivery issues and nationally the members have not been kept in the loop as to exactly what the union is fighting for in deliveries.

As Clash has pointed out many members are already dealing with resourcing to demand,all year round lapsing and majority part-time offices so unless the union comes up with a way to guarantee that these offices will be revisited and any non compliant workplan removed then I think you can forget support for a strike to protect the status quo in a minority of areas that have refused to modernise.

The difference in what constitutes a "fair day's work" from area to area has become more pronounced since 2010 and that was supposed to be an agreement that standardised working practices across the entire business.
The warnings were there,you can't just leave half the country to go to hell in a handcart and then expect them to come riding over the hill the minute HQ whistles.

[chrisj]

It is nice that this guy** is providing some sort of information... However, since the threat of strike was gained and now removed*, he is sounding more like a Deputy Head teacher - scolding the naughty children who are not towing the line or appreciative of what the school is doing for them.

* Paraphrasing, he said himself that a strike might likely lead some loss of business from Amazon, possible collapse of Parcel Force and the possibility that RM might even remove gained concessions based on affordability.

I just do not see the PEC recommending a strike any more - there will be just too much to lose; and RM knows that too. I do not think the militancy is at an extent where people will walk out in drove - its drag on too long and fatigue has set in.

I do not which section our Union friend represent but he is sounding more and more remote. And quoting ballot figures to try to justify his power of persuasion over other Reps is unfair. So is the constant telling off about us not knowing what the issues are. At one stage Privatisation was an issue, DSA and others and the mobilisation for a Strike.

However, now it is the threat of a strike that is more important - you don't say Sherlock! Now RM know it is a threat! I do agree that RM does not want a strike or any disruption action - that is a fact!!!

3 more days for an agreement??? It will be a good result (I did not expect much anyway) but certainly not a deal of the decade - there will be more fighting in the near future.

** I do not want to be using his avatar because it will seem like I have a direct go and conversation - it is not out of disrespect!

[dvbuk55]

The disaster that was BT2010 has culminated in the problems now being experienced in modernised offices. The negotiators literally hadn't a clue as to how the 2010 agreement would impact on deliveries. Yet here we are almost 4 years down the line with the same negotiators and that is the greatest problem facing the membership because God only knows what they would consider an acceptable conclusion. We may have a vote on any deal but if like last time we are given only a scant description of it, no plan b, best we can get, winners and losers, details to follow and best of all the PEC and Leadership on a road show to urge a yes vote........ well it's pretty much downhill from now on.

[Cut Off King]

Who speaks on share management board on behalf of us and our 10%?

One things for sure, I ain't gonna give my permission for the CWU "surrender monkeys" to use MY few shares to get a seat on the board.
God only knows what they would agree to just so that they could issue a joint statement rather that standing up to the RM board.

[Martin Walsh]

Chris you have not been on here long , but for the record I think this board has scared off other in the know posters with the constant abuse they get off some for daring to have a different opinion. I would say I get more than most on here but will still post because I believe in keeping members updated on issues. yes I sometimes give an alternative opinion and Inhave fallen out with some at HQs over the years in fact a certain JK tried to discipline me and a few others.

As for calling me an headmaster , I am as far from that description but I do give an informed opinion on certIn issues and yes CWU HQs does have to look at the overall yes vote and in some parts of the country the yes vote was not as good as others. That's a fact , most Branch's know their result the CWU knows every result.

Now Clash and Fish I think you should know better than to go down the route of London has not modernised.

Since BT 2010

London has seen 2 Mail centres close
London has seen the import traffic move to HWDC
London has lot over 2000 Mail centre jobs
London is facing a VOC and RDC closure.
London has introduced 70 delivery method revisions
London has seen an increase in part timers of around 10%
London still has 24 revision to be introduced.

Yes London has argued and refused to agree revisions unless the office got the menu of options introduced , or if the start times were acceptable , or if the BSI I improvement was acceptable and we have not agreed 100 BSI , or if the span has not been either realistic or workable. Oh and London has not had any revision disasters.

The reason why London membership are ready if a strike is called next Wednesday is because we told the members of the real issues ie pa, pensions , legal guarantees , and workplace issues. Perhaps others should have done likewise if they now argue they can't produce the members.

Now on pay we will get a better deal , on pensions we have separated the issue and there is an In principle agreement , we are close on the legal guarantees safeguards which no other union has achieved, it is now down to resourcing to demand being tackled.

Some on here make light of the progress , most members I meet don't.

[dvbuk55]

Ah yes, those in the know, thing is why aren't we ALL in the know. The are some on here who like to make every faux pas the union makes and they are legend, into a triumph.

[RTP]

Dingo, are the union going to ask for a cap on BSI and if offices have gone in above that cap are the union going to get a guarantee that those offices will be revisited and the BSI lowered to the set cap and until such time as that happens lapsing will not happen in the affected offices. I say this, because as we all know RM may make a promise to revisit the offices, but this way will make sure it happens and in a shorter length of time. Yes or no?

By the way I don't need a lecture on how 'every office is different', I'm well aware of that. The 'cap' could reflect office sizes etc.. by lets say banding the BSI to between 75 and 85. If this is done then concessions could be given towards extended the likes of flexing.

[chrisj]

The problem for me is that for the 2 weeks, I allowed myself to have a bit of a dream...

However, being ultra-sceptical is perhaps a very good option because, then one can be pleasantly surprised.

I don't know much about the 'London' crazy gang but it seems that Union activity and pressure on RM for its members is far greater than the rest of the wastelands over the country. *London even issued its own update and rallying call to its members following the 4 November strike postponement...

So it appears we have a 'Premier' Union division all the way down to the 'Conference' division - naturally with the these comes different outcomes for members.

Dingo, I did say deputy headteacher - lol - not quite a headteacher: some deputies fall in between the good and the bad cop category - you are a good cop most of the time and you can even rebel sometimes but when it comes down to it; you will still tow the party line Its all Politics - and that I understand - no point being crazy and losing grounds that had already being gained.

[dvbuk55]

London has seen an increase of part timers by 10%, so it's 89%FT to 11%PT.................that position is very very good, however it's a position maintained by the rest of the country having 60/40 and even 50/50 because it was a national total of 75/25, which lets face it has been shown to be untenable as the current status is 69/31. Now we have the promise in the new proposed agreement of "predominantly full time", now is that a national predominance?, in which case some offices will be predominantly part time in order to maintain the national status quo. In any case there is not going to be any form of adhering to that agreement because "predominantly" is an indeterminate figure.

[clashcityrocker]

Now Clash and Fish I think you should know better than to go down the route of London has not modernised.

it is now down to resourcing to demand being tackled.

Are we in detention sir?

I don't see how resourcing to demand is a problem.
It is a reality and has been for many years for large parts of the country ever since TG and his capacity plan first reared its ugly head.
When we did our revision it was clear that only walks close to the office would be lapsed, and if you signed for one of them you risked being moved off it when traffic was below model week and lapsing was a possibility. Nobody suggested we needed to have a ballot for industrial action over it.

Just as a matter of interest, how many Divisional reps are there in London?
There are 3 covering Scotland and Northern Ireland. There was more chance of getting laid in a convent than getting a Divi Rep to show an interest in your problems.

[HootyMacBoob]

Now Clash and Fish I think you should know better than to go down the route of London has not modernised.

it is now down to resourcing to demand being tackled.

Are we in detention sir?

I don't see how resourcing to demand is a problem.
It is a reality and has been for many years for large parts of the country ever since TG and his capacity plan first reared its ugly head.
When we did our revision it was clear that only walks close to the office would be lapsed, and if you signed for one of them you risked being moved off it when traffic was below model week and lapsing was a possibility. Nobody suggested we needed to have a ballot for industrial action over it.

Just as a matter of interest, how many Divisional reps are there in London?
There are 3 covering Scotland and Northern Ireland. There was more chance of getting laid in a convent than getting a Divi Rep to show an interest in your problems.

CCR In my area we went right up to stage 3 in the framework with the support of a scottish div rep over designated lapsing deliveries and it was agreed that there was no national agreement saying that there must be designated lapsing duties.

[dvbuk55]

CCR In my area we went right up to stage 3 in the framework with the support of a scottish div rep over designated lapsing deliveries and it was agreed that there was no national agreement saying that there must be designated lapsing duties.

You're right Hooty, but in the meetings held with the unit rep if the suggestion is that lapsed duties should be the closest to the office in order that both vehicle duties and HCTs can take their share it's difficult if not impossible to offer a viable alternative that doesn't cost more.

[HootyMacBoob]

CCR In my area we went right up to stage 3 in the framework with the support of a scottish div rep over designated lapsing deliveries and it was agreed that there was no national agreement saying that there must be designated lapsing duties.

You're right Hooty, but in the meetings held with the unit rep if the suggestion is that lapsed duties should be the closest to the office in order that both vehicle duties and HCTs can take their share it's difficult if not impossible to offer a viable alternative that doesn't cost more.

If the rep plus the members in the office are prepared to stand there ground dvbuk it is then not about offering a viable alternative to make savings, its about holding on to seniority and making sure our people don't get moved from pillar to post without having a say in the matter.

[clashcityrocker]

its about holding on to seniority and making sure our people don't get moved from pillar to post without having a say in the matter.

But it's all right to move the reserves from pillar to post?
So when there are lapsing opportunities, rather than know where they will be delivering, they get moved from pillar to post and have to deliver in unfamiliar streets?
And the bigger the geographical area covered by a DO, the sillier the idea gets.

Was the result of this stage 3 disagreement cascaded down to all unit reps in the area covered by your Divi rep?

[HootyMacBoob]

its about holding on to seniority and making sure our people don't get moved from pillar to post without having a say in the matter.

So when there are lapsing opportunities, rather than know where they will be delivering, they get moved from pillar to post and have to deliver in unfamiliar streets?
And the bigger the geographical area covered by a DO, the sillier the idea gets.

Was the result of this stage 3 disagreement cascaded down to all unit reps in the area covered by your Divi rep?

Thats the trade of ccr you either have posties getting moved of their duties on the whim of the manager or you have posties not knowing what streets they are delivering. Its not beyond the rep and the manager to reach an agreement that is beneficial to the whole office. But the main word I would use is AGREEMENT. Not the manager lapsing and forcing people of their signed for duties whenever he feels like it. Thats a question you should ask your area rep or the divi rep for your area but I would hope it has been.