Office rep.

[clashcityrocker]

At yesterdays huddle (we no longer have WTLL) the manager gave the old "this is all about London, strike action could destroy all our jobs" talk and then asked our union rep if he had anything to add.Silence. Given the opportunity to explain why we are striking he said nothing.Surely we deserve better representation.So how do we remove him as our union rep?What do we have to do to elect a new rep?

[phantomshare]

Some reasons to Strike:

Pay freeze even though Royal Mail made profits of £321 million. Is this the start of an attack on our pay as Royal Mail think we are 25% overpaid now.

The cessation of door to door payments this is a pay cut in itself.

The right to negotiate change not have it imposed on us, come next year Royal mail will be looking at changing our start/finish times as part of the introduction of walk sequencing, this could be as late as 15:00 this would also be on a Saturday.

We have been told that over the next 3 years Royal Mail will be looking for savings of 30% that’s10% year on year, we know it can’t be achieved but will that stop Royal Mail. When savings like these are imposed it creates a working environment that is rife with Bullying and Harassment.

The right to maintain and better our terms and conditions.

The right to remain full - time. No compulsory buy-downs.

Pensions. Royal Mail have stated it may have to close the scheme to existing members.

So instead of managers asking Reps to explain the situation let's ask these questions of managers in front of our members, so we can flush out Royal Mail's true intentions!

[Exrep]

Take a deep breath and firstly ask yours selves why didnt he speak up when given the opportunity

How long has he been your unit rep if hes newly appointed it can be very daunting standing in front of your whole office and speaking up .

Has your rep made any difference on being the rep as it not just about speaking up when asked to its about the little changes you may not be aware of that the rep your questioning has made to better your office.

Is there anyone who is willling to take up this thankless tasks if you do decide on a vote of no confidence in him.

Do you really think he should go because he hasnt said what the strikes about me personnely thinks that he should of spoken up when given the opportunity but do not believe he should walk because he chose to stay stum.

Does he fully understand why we are going out on strike if hes unsure maybe this was the reason he stayed silent there can be many factors .Before you vote him out why dont you ask him in a polite manner you may well be surprised at his response.

Ive noticed recently people slating reps its time to get behind your reps as it is now we need your support more than ever.

Im not saying your wrong in your annoyance at him staying stum but lets find out the reasons first before hes drawn and quarted.

[fishtank]

Take a deep breath and firstly ask yours selves why didnt he speak up when given the opportunity

How long has he been your unit rep if hes newly appointed it can be very daunting standing in front of your whole office and speaking up .

Has your rep made any difference on being the rep as it not just about speaking up when asked to its about the little changes you may not be aware of that the rep your questioning has made to better your office.

Is there anyone who is willling to take up this thankless tasks if you do decide on a vote of no confidence in him.

Do you really think he should go because he hasnt said what the strikes about me personnely thinks that he should of spoken up when given the opportunity but do not believe he should walk because he chose to stay stum.

Does he fully understand why we are going out on strike if hes unsure maybe this was the reason he stayed silent there can be many factors .Before you vote him out why dont you ask him in a polite manner you may well be surprised at his response.

Ive noticed recently people slating reps its time to get behind your reps as it is now we need your support more than ever.

Im not saying your wrong in your annoyance at him staying stum but lets find out the reasons first before hes drawn and quarted.

Good post

What you also have to understand when the DOM asks the question "Why go on strike" he is not interested in the answers ,he is trying to set you up.

He has a set of stock answers from Higson and will use the opportunity to try to get their side across even more.

Sometimes those who shout the loudest have the least to say.
Its sometimes better to keep your dignity,choose your battles and walk away.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Clash and Jimmy - To be fair if you think he is not doing a good job , then you must think you can do better so why not stand against him. If you don't want to stand against him then why don't you become more active. If you are so passionate about the strike, which I am, why didn't you jump in with comments, I do.

I can see where your coming from but one thing that does surprise me is what people expect from Reps. After all what are reps really, they are unpaid volunteers who have put their heads above the parapet, who have no more skills or training than an ordinary member. The can go on courses if RM release them, but otherwise they have to give up their free time to educate themselves on various agreements and management proposals. They don't go on course for public speaking, or how to get people more motivated, they are in essence nothing more glorious that someone who wants to help out his colleagues for no reward.


Stand against him if you think you can do the job, or support him if you can't. Simples.

[clashcityrocker]

Which is why I asked how do we remove him and elect another rep?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Which is why I asked how do we remove him and elect another rep?

Not sure TBH - I think you'll need the advice of the Area Rep, but one things for sure you will need support from the rest of your colleagues before you make any move. Good luck its always better to have a volunteer rather than a pressed man

[Ahebban]

I would have done the same as your Rep and kept quiet for a few seconds, gather my thoughts, then simply ask permission from the DOM to speak to the workforce without his presence. His answer would tell you all you needed to know about why you are on strike.

We know RM have their own agenda, we know everything about RM is one-sided, so unless you toe the party-line any Rep would be foolish to leave himself open to repercussions for speaking out in favour of a strike.

Whether by accident or design, your Rep has probably kept himself in a job without realizing it .. smiles.

[johnnyp]

Which is why I asked how do we remove him and elect another rep?

Elections should be held once a year(ours are after xmas)for all or most branch positions including local unit rep.Nomination forms are sent out to every office,the positions are advertised on the local cwu notice board,colleagues can then apply for a position and send the form back to the branch chair.If more then one person goes for a position then a ballot is held to select the candidate.

[Exrep]

He actually said after the meeting that HE couldnt believe no one spoke up !! And that we will now get everything we deserve :mfo

He comes into interviews for warnings etc and the only comments he makes are to agree that management have a fair point ! :mfo

To be fair he only took the job coz the old rep jacked in coz he couldnt agree anything with our DOM. They actually hated each other . And he has got a bit better recently after going to numerous onion meetings, but he still stays quiet. I had to tell him when we were on strike, he just said it hadnt been announced yet :mfo

If as you say hes got better since going on union courses you have now in my eyes vindacted him of any wrong doing.

Your rep needs more time and as time passes he will gain a stronger voice and will not feel out of his depth.

Regardless of how long your repping for there will be numerous times when you feel out of your depth just give him a chance.

At least he had the balls to take on the reps job in your office as obviously no one else wanted it so good on him for that.

When he said it hadnt been announced yet is that maybe because he hadnt heard not all posties are privvy to this site or are glued to a tv or radio.

I think that as times passes you will find that your office has a good rep just help him with his confidence.

Just one question have you ever thought about taking up the repping you could allways stand against him next time the position is advertised .

If your standing have you a seconder and a mover are people willing to do that for you .

I think you should give him a chance, repping doesnt stop once your duty time is over you no it goes a lot further than that.

[Exrep]

I doudt it but can not say for sure and be a 100% certain . I would of argued the toss till i was blue in the face and if needed got the area rep involved.

What you must see is that R/M management have there own hidden agenda regardless of whether they think its right or wrong.

Going off a subject a bit now but when Thathcher was in power she had a vision a very long straight road with no bends in it. But there was bends in it and she refused to acknowledge these bends although she was told by her ministers what was gonig to happen in the future and she needed to deviate. She didnt and what happened Britain vitually collasped .The exact same thing is happening across R/M and for this reason we are being forced to defend ourselves by way of I/A .

This at present is the way R/M see there staff has head workers and people who will try to pull the wool over there eyes.

Prisoners are treated with more dignity and respect than us posties.

If you want ot stand for rep dont let your speech impediament stop you as you can allways right down what you want to say and get your assistant to do the talking for you. But then you will find yourself in the same position your current rep is in where some might think your not vocal enough through no fault of your own mind.

Just stand against your rep next time it comes up and do it in a dignified manner .

Good Luck in your quest.

[fishtank]

Ive never heard of a "2 year serious" been given without the area rep at the very least being informed

[wood]

I am a rep with a speech impediment. Your members will listen to what you have to say, no matter how long it takes.
You will find it gets better with time, the more you speak in front of your members. You can also SMS your members. Give it ago if you feel that strong about it. Dont be embarassed.