Fight at Royal Mail is far from finished

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=19785" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

by Yuri Prasad

Bosses at Royal Mail appear to be following their blueprint for slashing thousands of jobs next year by doing all they can to put off strikes before Christmas.

Union activists in many areas report that management is now prepared to discuss key areas of disagreement that sparked a wave of local strike action that began in June.

At Islington delivery office, in north London, bosses had insisted that four‑day working patterns “were history”.

They now say they are prepared to reconsider them.

“It’s too early to say whether management are really prepared to honour the ‘interim agreement’ signed by the company and the union last month,” says Islington union rep Dave Morrison.

“They are making concessions on some issues, in some offices, but are playing hardball in others.”

Many reps warn that this is part of a company plan to make strikes before Christmas unlikely, but that bosses are preparing to restart their offensive in the New Year.

This strategy was clearly outlined in a management document published by Socialist Worker in the autumn.

Johnny Hunt, branch secretary of the union’s Essex branch, fears the worst.

“There’s no question that Royal Mail is sticking to its plan,” he says.

“And it’s not just union activists like me who are saying it – it’s on the lips of everyone who works at my mail centre in Chelmsford.

“But if we have to come out on strike again in the New Year, then so be it.”

Royal Mail is set to introduce new technology into offices across Britain next year and is already planning a “headcount reduction” – meaning it intends to sack thousands of postal workers.

Discussions between the company and senior union officials about this are due to conclude within days, but sources close to the negotiations say that management are determined to ride roughshod over the union.

It is clear that if the union had not suspended its national strikes, it would now be in a better position to resist future attacks.

Nevertheless, many reps report that their members remain ready to restart the fight. It is vital that the union leadership do not waste this anger.

© Socialist Worker (unless otherwise stated). You may republish if you include an active link to the original.

[barkersboy]

The comments on this this topic, and many other topics on this site, suggest that all is not well within areas and regions. Yet I read the LTB this week that suggested the CWU had not had any bad reports and would be continuing with the talks suggesting that all was goign well.
So what is the current situation, is the CWU pulling the wool over our eyes or are the areas and regions unhappy?

[Night Tonic]

That rag makes it up as it goes along.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

That rag makes it up as it goes along.

Its Not A Sun or Daily Mail article though - can't see why you thought it was.

[Big Daz]

barkersboy

My take is that some offices have seen improvements but others are still waiting, furthermore that some progress has been made in each region.

Progress is not complete but is heading in the right direction.

The PEC appear to to be convinced rightly or wrongly that the overall level of progress is enough to keep us at work, they made the interim agreement so they what is and isnt acceptable to them.

The LTB did make clear that the PEC want to see more/quicker progress.

However it was indicated that only a breakdown in negotations would put us back on strike and the current process is the only way to get full and final agreement.

[k979aaa]

barkersboy

My take is that some offices have seen improvements but others are still waiting, furthermore that some progress has been made in each region.

Progress is not complete but is heading in the right direction.

The PEC appear to to be convinced rightly or wrongly that the overall level of progress is enough to keep us at work, they made the interim agreement so they what is and isnt acceptable to them.

The LTB did make clear that the PEC want to see more/quicker progress.

However it was indicated that only a breakdown in negotations would put us back on strike and the current process is the only way to get full and final agreement.

Adam is quiet is he not before Christmas but will soon turn in to ebenezer scrooge on the 24 of December!.

[coxie]

well we all know it anyway, its so obvious the royal mail want to get passed christmas and will be good untill xmas is over, after they they will continue to target us to look to reshaping the job as we know it.

[axeman]

a senior manager divulged recently that royal fail are just biding there time and after christmas is over the onslaught ...continues... i for one would not be at all suprised