VOTE TONY BOUCH

[VoteTonyBouch]

Hi All

Sorry I haven't been on since the initial post. Thanks to Postman for setting up this forum. I believe that it is only right for potential National Representatives of our Union to be able to be scrutinised and questioned by as wide a proportion of the membership as possible.

Below this post is my Election Address. As you will know we only get to write 300 words. It was really difficult for me to condense my thoughts and aspirations into such a small amount of words.

I believe 100% that the Union belongs to and should be driven by it's membership.

Down here in Plymouth we have completely changed the way the Branch operates over the last 5 years. New technology has been embraced (we have text / email update systems, facebook groups, twitter account etc). We have led from the front with regards to local and national disputes, we have supported colleagues in London 100% during recent and 2009 strike action.

Now is the time for us as a branch to put up or shut up. We believe that some of the values we have injected locally are missing nationally.

- Communications have to improve. Members must get information to them in a timely fashion and it must be presented in Plain English. CWU members talk straght. CWU communications from HQ should do the same. I also pledge to publish regular updates from PEC members to all Branches.

- Visibility of National Union figures must increase. It is very easy to sit in meetings 'thinking' that you know the issues that are foremost in the members minds. I aim to get out and about to units as much as possible so that when big decisions have to be made at National meetings I know in my heart that I am truly representing the views of CWU members.

- New ways of working / communicating. The world has changed. The Union must change with it. At the click of a button sits immense potential power for this Union. We need to revel in this opportunity rather than stick with the 'we know best' mentality.

If you can give me your vote then I pledge to give everything I possibly can in return.

This is Your Union. I want to play my role in handing it back to you.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I am open to answering any questions you have on any CWU related issues. Once again my Election Address is below.

Regards

Tony Bouch - and before one of you says it...... GREEEEEEEEEEEENNN ARRRRRRRMMMMMYYYY

TO ALL CWU MEMBERS

The last five years have seen unprecedented change in our Industry. Now more than ever CWU members need National Leadership that is prepared to inspire, work tirelessly, communicate effectively and get out to the coalface to see what Postal Workers are actually experiencing on a day to day basis.

I am not standing on any agenda nor am I interested in some of the internal politics that weaken the collective force of our Union; I simply put myself forward because I want to make a difference and I firmly believe that I have the ability to do so.

If elected I will do my very best to campaign for

• A Union that is Industrially focused and makes the needs of its members the number one priority
• Better communications to members
• More visibility in the field from the National Union

I also pledge to

• Send out a regular PEC bulletin
• Set up a specific blog on my activities for the benefit of CWU members
• Be prepared to visit any Branch or Workplace in the UK

As a Union we pride ourselves on talking about promoting younger representatives and new blood. This is a chance for those words to become a reality.

A Vote for Tony Bouch will equal a vote for accountability, hard work and leadership. If you are able to place your support and faith in me, I will not let you down.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read my address. It has always been a privilege to serve as a CWU Representative and the chance to give my all for the National membership is an opportunity that I would grab with both hands.

Please use your vote, vote for Tony Bouch.

Regards

Tony Bouch

[andy2007]

It's great to hear that you intend to do something about the current poor communication problem. But does that mean that you'll work hard to try to prevent any more of the secrecy clauses, during negotiations?
These have been a major problem over several years now, primarily because it creates so much uncertainty and worry, and doesn't give people enough time to properly consider the ramifications of agreeing to them. As a result, we've had many problems, up to, and including Strikes, following yes votes. Judging by what's been said by our Colleagues (as well as myself), both in person, and on here. This is often because people hadn't read the information properly, or (and this is the worrying thing for me) had misunderstood clauses. If we had more time to consider the contents of the deals, and discuss them. We'd be far less likley to face the same problems again.

[VoteTonyBouch]

It's great to hear that you intend to do something about the current poor communication problem. But does that mean that you'll work hard to try to prevent any more of the secrecy clauses, during negotiations?
These have been a major problem over several years now, primarily because it creates so much uncertainty and worry, and doesn't give people enough time to properly consider the ramifications of agreeing to them. As a result, we've had many problems, up to, and including Strikes, following yes votes. Judging by what's been said by our Colleagues (as well as myself), both in person, and on here. This is often because people hadn't read the information properly, or (and this is the worrying thing for me) had misunderstood clauses. If we had more time to consider the contents of the deals, and discuss them. We'd be far less likley to face the same problems again.

Hi Andy

I am travelling today around the Branch and only have access to RMC via my mobile.

Tonight when I'm home I'll give you a full reply.

Tony

[Martin Walsh]

Tony you could always use pigeon post !!! Good Luck !

[andy2007]

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[Bristol Dave]

New blood is needed and new ideas - you have my vote

[VoteTonyBouch]

It's great to hear that you intend to do something about the current poor communication problem. But does that mean that you'll work hard to try to prevent any more of the secrecy clauses, during negotiations?
These have been a major problem over several years now, primarily because it creates so much uncertainty and worry, and doesn't give people enough time to properly consider the ramifications of agreeing to them. As a result, we've had many problems, up to, and including Strikes, following yes votes. Judging by what's been said by our Colleagues (as well as myself), both in person, and on here. This is often because people hadn't read the information properly, or (and this is the worrying thing for me) had misunderstood clauses. If we had more time to consider the contents of the deals, and discuss them. We'd be far less likley to face the same problems again.

Hi Andy

Sorry for the delay. Still travelling about now but managed to get my laptop out :)

A very straight answer to your question of whether I would try to stop the secrecy during National Negotiations - YES I would.

I feel that for a number of reasons a period of silence at a critical point is both counter productive and sucks the life out of our strength.

1. You allow RM to fill the void with rumours which over time start to split the membership.

2. You lose all sense of momentum. Strikes are won on leadership, momentum, timing, communications and key messages. All of these are put at risk by periods of silence.

3. I feel that a period of silence / secrecy plays into the employers hands. If the talks are in secret then members do not know what is being discussed and therefore cannot react accordingly. If the negotiations were transparent then at key times the members anger / resolve would rise which in turn would put pressure back onto the employer.

As a Branch we have really pushed hard during the last two National Dispute, leading from the front with regards to local action prior to 2009.

We got our members on board through honestly, openess, excellent communications (text messages/email systems/notice boards constantly update/gate meetings) and most of all assembling a set of officials that all are prepared to lead from the front.

Our last 5 AGMs have had between 200-300 CWU members in attendance. Over the course of the same period some branches are struggling to get double figures.

I believe that I have lots to bring to the table at National level - thats why I have put myself forward.

Regards

Tony

[minimumstandard]

i will vote for you if you sort this crap out about not paying overtime and refusal to test rounds untill staff reach the minimum standard indoor sort this out and youll go far

[feduppostie]

hmmm you have my interest

what are your views on a 5 day week and colleague shares?

[VoteTonyBouch]

i will vote for you if you sort this crap out about not paying overtime and refusal to test rounds untill staff reach the minimum standard indoor sort this out and youll go far

Minimum standard

Thanks for your post.

It sounds as if your office tells a familiar tale to that of many around the UK.

There are many issues remaining from the BT agreement that must be tied up as a matter of urgency.

On the non-payment of Overtime I suggest that you take out a grievance. If the issue is widespread then your representative needs to use the IR Framework and register a disagreement.

On the 'miniumum standards indoors' - The only standards we work to in deliveries are the one off one minute test. http://www.cwu.org/assets/_files/docume ... e_Intr.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any attempts to bring in anything different to the above should again see a disagreement registered by your local representative.

It is not easy to be a local representative - get the Branch involved if needs be.

Tony

[VoteTonyBouch]

hmmm you have my interest

what are your views on a 5 day week and colleague shares?

I will take the easiest one first

Colleagueshares has developed into a huge point of principle for me and many CWU members.

A few years back the CWU attacked this scheme and saw it as a direct bribe from RM to split the Union and members.

This, however changed when it became part of the BT2010 agreement. Both the CWU and RM nationally used the twp £536 colleagueshare payments to sell the agreement to members. As far as I am concerned CWU members can now consider themselves mislead after RMs scam of a valuation.

As a Branch we have made it clear to our members that RM need to pay this money or we see it as a direct breach of the BT agreement.

This reflects the view that has been put out nationally. The only criticism that I have of HQ over this issue is the pace at which they are dealing with it and the lacked of detailed comms that have come out.

On a 5 day delivery service - this is very complex.

FIrstly there is the jobs issue. It would be easy to say "we are losing them anyway" but this is a simplistic arguement because RM would take the 1/6th of reserves and then come back for "business as usual" cuts meaning that we would in reality be hit twice.

There is also the issue that on a Saturday we currently get a lot of business from mail orders etc because a lot of the competition only offer a M-F service. This means that we have an advantage over the competition (which is vital when you consider all the disadvantages we face).

My proposal for the future delivery model would be more innovative.

I would like to see the overwhelming majority of delivery members on a M-F duty pattern with Saturdays covered on SA / innovative Duty patters. For the Saturday workload I would like to see us delivery specials, packets, home delivery items etc. This would (a) give the majority of members the M-F duties they want, (b) maintain our advantage over the competition on a Saturday and (c) help to negate some of the job losses by having hours still used on a Saturday.

I think the above represents a responsible position that meets the needs of the members whilst protecting jobs.

Tony

[kyedudd007]

Tony the same to you mate, all the best and you know you'll get good support from Bristol.

[feduppostie]

ahhh you had me right up until the m- f issue

no doubt moving to this would lose 1/6 ofthe workforce and ANY candidate saying this is ok needs their head read

we are and always have been a 6 day operation it is what seperates us from the rest

anyone that would sacrifice 1 in 6 of us for any reason does not deserve a vote

we need to protect jobs not give them away for ANY reason

[feduppostie]

I appreciate you gave a reason for a skeleton staff on a sat but it is not enough

Much as many hate it Sat is the only reason we a different

[belle smith]

Tony,

1. Did you vote for or against the 2007 pay and mod agreement? What did your branch recomend to it's members?

2. Did you vote for or agianst the 2010 BT agreement? What did your branch recomend to it's members?