Message from Dave Ward/Update.

[ade@cambs]

A message from Dave Ward DGS (Postal)

Dear Colleague,

I want to personally thank you for all of your efforts so far in helping
the Union achieve a 'Yes' vote. As we reach the final stages of our
campaign I would be grateful if you could convey the following key
messages to your friends and colleagues in the work place.

* Voting 'Yes' will make a difference

We have already seen Royal Mail move their position on a
number of occasions as a result of Union pressure. Last year when Royal
Mail's imposed pay deal back fired, we saw movement after Royal Mail had
said they would not change their position.

Royal Mail says they listen to CWU Members. A 'yes' vote
is the most powerful
way of putting this to the test - it leaves Royal Mail
with nowhere to hide.

No responsible employer will be able to ignore that
'yes' vote and no responsible employer will be able to turn down fresh
talks.

* What will happen when we deliver a 'yes' vote?

When we deliver a 'yes' vote there will be no knee-jerk
reaction and no call, at any stage, for an all-out strike. The Union
will give Royal Mail the opportunity to reflect on their position and
reach an agreement. If industrial action becomes necessary this will
only be as a very last resort. We will consult with CWU members on the
most effective type of action. Any action will ensure minimum cost to
CWU members and maximum pressure on Royal Mail.

* Less than a year ago Alan Leighton and Adam Crozier claimed all
the headlines for what they said were a fantastic turnaround in the
fortunes of the company. Suddenly, postal workers are 25% overpaid, 40%
under worked and facing meltdown. If we accept their version of market
rate pay now then we accept it forever.

* Despite all their bravado about Postcomm, Royal Mail has gone
along with everything Postcomm proposed. Adam Crozier publicly welcomed
competition, now Royal Mail has reverted to type. They are panicking and
have put together a business plan that accepts failure from the outset.

* The Union will be here for the long haul. We question whether
the business leaders now have the same commitment to our members'
future.

* Royal Mail's announcement on ColleagueShare demonstrates that
more money is available. The CWU will negotiate a better agreement that
delivers real money and sets achievable targets.

* Your pensions are under attack. Supporting the CWU is the best
way to protect them.

* The Union are being realistic on pay, we have never asked for a
27% increase - we will never accept what amounts to a pay cut in real
terms. It is time Royal Mail were realistic about the savings that can
be achieved prior to automation.

* The best way for Royal Mail to deal with competition is to stop
attacking the work force and support the CWU's campaign for a government
review of the impact the ground rules set by Postcomm are having on the
business.

* A 'no' vote will not make the problems go away. Every office
will be isolated. Every office will still have to face over 40,000 job
losses, attacks on pensions and the race to the bottom on pay and
conditions without a national agreement to protect our members.


If you take a few minutes to speak face-to-face with your colleagues,
you will help convince them that a 'yes' vote is fundamental to securing
their future. Once again thank you for your support.

Please follow the link for my personal message to you:
http://www.cwu.org/uploads/podcasts/dward.wmv

Tell your friends and colleagues to follow the thousands of you that
have already signed up for these email alerts. Sign up to
jcolbert@cwu.org

[POSTMAN]

A message from Dave Ward DGS (Postal)

DON'T DELAY VOTE TODAY

Dear Colleagues,

We have seen Royal Mail's letter dated 21st May.

This is an act of dishonesty and desperation by Messrs Leighton and
Crozier.

You know that Admin workers are always included in the Royal Mail Letter
Pay negotiations. We have written to you previously explaining that
Royal Mail had offered no pay rise for Admin workers and that this was
completely unacceptable to the Union.

The truth is some 3 months after negotiations commenced - when your pay
was due from 1st April - Royal Mail have now taken a unilateral decision
to move the goalposts. Royal Mail know the Union has not accepted any
change to our agreed collective bargaining arrangements. No talks have
taken place on a group wide basis.

We have told Royal Mail that any pay increase achieved for OPG,
Engineering and MDEC grades must also apply to our Admin members.

We are genuinely astonished at the behaviour of Messrs Leighton and
Crozier. This is a deliberate attempt to interfere with a democratic,
legal ballot for industrial action.

We will be raising this issue with our lawyers.

You are included in the ballot and you will be part of any agreed
settlement.

Please vote 'yes' - what Royal Mail's Business Leaders are trying to get
away with is not acceptable.