CWU UNION

[steven100]

I'd like to see the union do more with the coming ballot, tell the public why the postman are going on strike, this could be done by putting articles in the newspapers, telling the public (the ones that care) why we are going on strike. I feel (like many) the union could be doing more, this would hopefully put pressure on RM.

[POSTMAN]

Was talking about this with my rep today funny enough,we've got a source at the daily mirror which we used a lot during the last dispute,that seems to have dried up.
We had a few paper ads last time but that's big money,have we any money left?

[nottadrone]

I whole heartedly agree. HQ should mount a national publicity campaign, with special emphasis on the current bullying (e.g. staff being taken off pay for doing their jobs properly).
I have to say, however, that our local and area reps in East London have been outstanding in this regard, giving regular interviews to local television and newspapers.

[concerned]

Bet the media cant say anything as they are controlled by the government.....or Mandelson (i dont think Brown has an opinion). But your union really should give more clearer info - i emailed Dave Ward about this. It is repeatedly said in media its about pay, some of your union reps when appearing on tv say 'why are we not getting a pay rise when RM has announced massive profits' - you have to understand the public will be peed if they think you are asking for higer wages in a recession!!
CWU should clearly explain what the agreement was, how RM are trying to back out of it-or skim round it and about bullying. All while also explaining how much is spent on bonuses - as it the money saved by a reduced service is being given in bonuses. Its all about spin.....

[jockstrapp]

Bet the media cant say anything as they are controlled by the government.....or Mandelson (i dont think Brown has an opinion). But your union really should give more clearer info - i emailed Dave Ward about this. It is repeatedly said in media its about pay, some of your union reps when appearing on tv say 'why are we not getting a pay rise when RM has announced massive profits' - you have to understand the public will be peed if they think you are asking for higer wages in a recession!!
CWU should clearly explain what the agreement was, how RM are trying to back out of it-or skim round it and about bullying. All while also explaining how much is spent on bonuses - as it the money saved by a reduced service is being given in bonuses. Its all about spin.....

Do the CWU actually know what they signed upto in 2007? because I'm now doing everything I was out on strike for. Sorry but the ones at the top off CWU don't install confidence.

[Cut Off King]

Bet the media cant say anything as they are controlled by the government.....or Mandelson (i dont think Brown has an opinion). But your union really should give more clearer info - i emailed Dave Ward about this. It is repeatedly said in media its about pay, some of your union reps when appearing on tv say 'why are we not getting a pay rise when RM has announced massive profits' - you have to understand the public will be peed if they think you are asking for higer wages in a recession!!
CWU should clearly explain what the agreement was, how RM are trying to back out of it-or skim round it and about bullying. All while also explaining how much is spent on bonuses - as it the money saved by a reduced service is being given in bonuses. Its all about spin.....

Totally agree!

Most people don't want know about posties pay and conditions as they too are being pressurised by their boss to work harder / save money.

HOWEVER - start talking to them about how RM changes will affect THEM and they are all ears
Tell them about how THEIR service will suffer
Tell them how THEIR post will be later / delayed / surcharged / stamp price rises etc.etc. etc.

Empathy with your customers could pay dividends.

[concerned]

Exactly....in fact funnily enough last week there was an article about a 70 year old man in a rural part of the UK. Still cant get gas or electricity. Since it was privatised they will not fork out the money to power there. He can pay £60k if he wants it installed. Point is, no private company in their right mind will deliver all over the UK all the time. Rural places will have very restricted mail and some will probably haev to get their own. And if WE are sending to certain places here it will cost more.....
Also the CWU should keep reminding public that pension deficit was result of pension holiday instructed by 2 governments - as they wanted to use money RM made. Now they want to get rid of them when money is owed back to RM - in fact they are going to leave us with the debt anyway......THESE are the sorts of things CWU should be saying. God id love a row with Mandelson.......even my MP stuttered when i started my rant about this!

[Big Daz]

Do the CWU actually know what they signed upto in 2007? because I'm now doing everything I was out on strike for. Sorry but the ones at the top off CWU don't install confidence.

No they dont!!!!!!!

Phase 3 is crap as we never voted on the detailed agreement, we signed up to utlise all paid work hours, we did not expect Billy and Dave to then through the phase3 trials sign up to absorb outdor work within your duty time with not one single mention of the 3.5 hour span.

As far as RMl see it, if if there is scope to do outside absorption within your hours of attendance but you would go over 3.5 hours delivery that is acceptable and within the terms of phase 3 agreement that we never voted on.

PE area RML are saying duties still planned on 3.5 hours span but the above is what will happen under phase 3.

[concerned]

what is this 3.5 hour thing?! The physical actual time spent walking or what?

[BELIAL]

First letter to last letter , no conveyance

[andy2007]

Exactly....in fact funnily enough last week there was an article about a 70 year old man in a rural part of the UK. Still cant get gas or electricity. Since it was privatised they will not fork out the money to power there. He can pay £60k if he wants it installed. Point is, no private company in their right mind will deliver all over the UK all the time. Rural places will have very restricted mail and some will probably haev to get their own. And if WE are sending to certain places here it will cost more.....
Also the CWU should keep reminding public that pension deficit was result of pension holiday instructed by 2 governments - as they wanted to use money RM made. Now they want to get rid of them when money is owed back to RM - in fact they are going to leave us with the debt anyway......THESE are the sorts of things CWU should be saying. God id love a row with Mandelson.......even my MP stuttered when i started my rant about this!

That's the whole problem. The Fat Cats, are only interested in how much money they can make. Whenever we try to fight back, to protect whats left of our service. All the Press are interested in, is that we include a request for a modest pay increase, at the same time.

Now I know that we could solve that, by leaving our Wages out of it. But the fact is, that I can't see how either side can get EVERYTHING they want. So surely it's reasonable to want some compensation, for the inevitable compromise, isn't it?

But just like 2007. The majority of the News articles about the disputes, make a point of going on about it being a pay issue. And not many, go into any detail about our attempts to prevent a further decline in our quality of service. Or the decline in our working conditions.

[concerned]

Problem is, pay increase was agreed in 2007 to be staged over a few years. So to be honest, to demand for more pay less than a year after the final increase was given is not as important as the other things happening. Really it should just be about working conditions etc and the fact 'absorbtion' cant really be done. If absorbing extra work had to be done, then paid extra to do so as and when you choose (overtime) - therefore you get your pay increase anyway! Does that make sense? Cos at the mo, overtime is being taken away.....so if absorbtion was agreed on an overtime basis,you would (sort of) be getting a pay rise.....this year and next really isnt the time to ask for more pay. Honestly! Your union really should not haev brought that in the equation

[andy2007]

That's a good point. But the overtime is being reduced, and in some cases, removed entirely, anyway. That started, before the threat of a National Strike. And not all of the local Strikes, are directly linked to the National one.

I just wish that the Press wouldn't make such a big thing about it. Yes, it's one of several issues. But why are they paying so little attention to all the others?
If they gave equal attention to the pay issue. Then I wouldn't have a problem with it. After all, it's in the Public's interest, to know if we have a pay rise. But what about the REAL issues?
For Example: Unachievable targets for Delivery Posties, which will result in more USO failures (delivering after the 14:00 Town, 15:00 Rural) deadline.

[concerned]

Personally i think you should make statements more about working conditions. That RM are using the term 'flexability' totally unreasonably. That they arent keeping to the agreement - and list these points in simple terms so the public understand. That jobs are being cut not because service needs them cut, but because the government want to sell it and that privatisation wont work. I really dont think 'pay' should be a demand laid out. If overtime is still required and realistic then that would be your pay rise..... as if you worked to rule then overtime would be there. You should also make public some examples of sleeze - threat to jobs if you dont want to use your car on the job etc etc etc - make more public the bonuses awarded to management, as a bonus for cutting services etc...god i should work in PR!

[shadow]

Personally i think you should make statements more about working conditions. That RM are using the term 'flexability' totally unreasonably. That they arent keeping to the agreement - and list these points in simple terms so the public understand. That jobs are being cut not because service needs them cut, but because the government want to sell it and that privatisation wont work. I really dont think 'pay' should be a demand laid out. If overtime is still required and realistic then that would be your pay rise..... as if you worked to rule then overtime would be there. You should also make public some examples of sleeze - threat to jobs if you dont want to use your car on the job etc etc etc - make more public the bonuses awarded to management, as a bonus for cutting services etc...god i should work in PR!

I think you would find an increase to your hourly rate would be a pay rise not working more hours for more money.