Dave Ward: Technology is 'being used to control workers'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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POSTAL and communication workers are increasingly voicing concerns about managers using technology to exercise greater control over them, CWU general secretary Dave Ward said today.

“All through my working life I have always had to deal with bad and sometimes bullying managers,” he told delegates at the union’s conference.

“What’s different now is that the technology those managers have at their disposal is now capable of planning and controlling every minute of the working lives of our members.

“The way that technology is now being used to control workers is perhaps the biggest challenge we face at work.”

He called for a national union campaign to harness workplace technology for positive ends, such as boosting the trade union movement, rather than it being used in a way “that is not right for workers.”

Mr Ward said: “By harnessing our collective strength we can shape the future world of work, reverse the fortunes of the trade union movement and bring about transformative political change.”

He also hailed the “new and clear progressive direction” that the CWU has taken over the past four years.

He said that the union was getting “closer and closer” to its rank-and-file representatives while gaining prominence in the wider working-class movement.

Paying tribute to the union’s members, he said that the CWU has “set aside a narrow and insular view of trade unionism” by actively engaging its members in political, social and other industrial issues.

[Biker Mouse]

In short, sweet fanny Adams will be done about it.

[Celgar]

The CWU needs to concentrate less on issues that are beyond their remit or control and more on what RM is thinking of announcing at the end of next month. If not the **** may seriously hit the fan.

[Yamr1]

Announcing it or bringing it in?

[postslippete]

I'm glad Dave's only just realised this. PDAs,trackers, and possibly automated hours data capture will all be used against us in the future. People saying it's a good thing must be mad as it's only ever good for Royal mail. Imagine forgetting/not being able to scan a barcode and being conducted for it. Wouldn't put it past a gaffer doing this to cover their own arse in future. That is the path it is leading us towards...the Amazon path. And I won't even mention managers contacting their favourites out of hours either,they will be last on the foes list for conduct

[Celgar]

Announcing it or bringing it in?

Likely both. RM have been talking about a big announcement on Capitals Day, whatever that is, near the end of May this year. They even mentioned this in the latest Courier but it has mentioned a lot on other financial media for ages. Unfortunately RM is keeping tight lipped on any details and the union appears to be in denial.

[Stammerking]

Data Capture is nothing to be afraid of if you do the job properly and like Royal Mail ask you to i.e. no flicking through mail scanning parcels as you walk along it just confirms my duty is as big as I say it is and there is no scope to put any work on me!

[Celgar]

Data Capture is nothing to be afraid of if you do the job properly and like Royal Mail ask you to i.e. no flicking through mail scanning parcels as you walk along it just confirms my duty is as big as I say it is and there is no scope to put any work on me!

RM are not allowed to use PDA actuals to attack individuals though. The data is collated for the DO as a whole so they just see the faster posties making time and time being saved derived from breaks not being taken, posties coming in forty minutes early etc. They also incorporate other incorrect data such as how much mail they predict will arrive versus what is actually posted. Quite often they give figures for the amount of mail a DO has received when we have received a larger quantity. The figures generally fall on 'their' side and enable them to propose most cost saving changes. Rico has just admitted in the latest courier that his business plan for RM is mainly focussed on cost cutting. In effect he is a complete failure as a CEO.