Are the CWU making an announcement today?

[whisperstar24]

Strike action is due to take place all day on Monday 4 November 2013 with members going on strike at the beginning of their normal duty and not returning to work until their next normal day of work starting on Tuesday 5 November

This is stupid- if you work early shift in a mail centre or delivery office and your first day of duty is tues ,you are not involved in the strike

[dvbuk55]

A strike at Christmas is unpalatable and probably impossible to sustain.

It is the time. It may be unpalatable and difficult to sustain but we should hit hard and fast. Don't forget the pressure starts in November not December - how about 4, 11, 16, 18 - 4 days in a fortnight, that would set the world on fire - that's 5 weeks left to Christmas and an opportunity to clear with OT provided there's a deal........if not...........

[Pinky 1]

From shifts starting from 04:30 ! So night staff will be out Monday into Tuesday

so night men have to leave work crossing a picket line? This can't be right

They won't be crossing it, they'll be joining it

[daveyeff]

A strike at Christmas is unpalatable and probably impossible to sustain.

I agree so what exactly is going on here?
There is a very small window of opportunity for "the first of a number of strikes" before a real and serious impact on Christmas deliveries.
I hope the people who know what they are doing....know what they are doing.

i would have though a christmas strike would be our biggest barganing tool. any strikes are unpalatable, but they are a neccessary weapon to have, and it could prove a deal clincher at their most vulnerable time. bit like gun running during wartime. our reps were saying that the reasons for dragging out the whole thing (consultative ballot) was to make it last til the xmas time, where we could really make it count.

[clashcityrocker]

I would have thought a christmas strike would be our biggest barganing tool. any strikes are unpalatable, .

When was the last time we were on strike at Christmas?
There might be a reason for that.

[fishtank]

i would have though a christmas strike would be our biggest barganing tool.

It is as a threat,not as a reality.
For a bargaining tool to work you have to have the ability to withdraw the threat before it causes the catastrophic damage you are threatening to cause.
If you actually cause that damage you no longer have any bargaining power.

[dvbuk55]

I would have thought a christmas strike would be our biggest barganing tool. any strikes are unpalatable, .

When was the last time we were on strike at Christmas?
There might be a reason for that.

Would that be weakness do you think?

[clashcityrocker]

I would have thought a christmas strike would be our biggest barganing tool. any strikes are unpalatable, .

When was the last time we were on strike at Christmas?
There might be a reason for that.

Would that be weakness do you think?

No.
It is a recognition that striking at Christmas would be an abject failure.

[daveyeff]

I would have thought a christmas strike would be our biggest barganing tool. any strikes are unpalatable, .

When was the last time we were on strike at Christmas?
There might be a reason for that.

exactly,, they've never expected it and they dont think we would go through with it. if we did they would know we meant business. look at how fast they rushed privatisation through, because they thought it would scupper i/a. the union have always backed down when it comes to xmas action. its time to play them at their own game.

[clashcityrocker]

Unfortunately the battle is won and lost in public opinion.
How much ammunition would we give to the "Grinch stole Christmas" headlines.
What would it be like to be a postie, hated in a community (the very community we claim we serve).

And what would happen after Christmas?

[daveyeff]

Unfortunately the battle is won and lost in public opinion.
How much ammunition would we give to the "Grinch stole Christmas" headlines.
What would it be like to be a postie, hated in a community (the very community we claim we serve).

And what would happen after Christmas?

the pulic dont pay our wages clash, they toot their car horns when they pass us at the gate and thats it. there is also end of tax year (march) when it is exceptionally busy. and easter and september. the public wont be bothered when we are on minimum wage either.

[BernardBresslaw]

People have advance notice that there is likely to be strike action over the Christmas period, so anyone waiting till the last minute to send presents doesn't really warrant consideration. Frankly, I for one am not exactly full of any festive cheer, and ultimately I care more about my future than one dullard getting a last minute present delivered. Bah humbug.

[fishtank]

If you put a gun to someone's head they might do what you say.
If you pull the trigger all they will do is die and you'll have to find another hostage quickly.
Who would be our next hostage once we've shot Santa Claus?
Next year's Studio catalogues?

[dvbuk55]

The fact we haven't done it speaks volumes, nobody knows whether it would be successful or not, we should go for it - you know what they say "faint heart" and as for joe public..........well they might as well get used to a service that won't be long in coming.

[daveyeff]

when the metro/train drivers/tube drivers go on strike they pick the times when it will cause most impact, match days, bank holidays, lead up to chrimbo, etc and they dont give a hoot what joe public thinks. i agree. this is our future not theirs. ''strike while the irons hot'' as they say,,,pardon the pun.