Postal union set for more strikes

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 11 Sep 2007, 14:02

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6988973.stm

The postal workers union has said it will announce further strikes after failing to reach an agreement with the Royal Mail during five days of talks.

Industrial action had been scheduled for last week, but was suspended for last ditch negotiations at the weekend.

According to the Communication Workers' Union (CWU), while progress had been made in some areas, including pay, it was not enough to avert strike action.

CWU members are concerned about pay levels and modernisation plans.

Cash question

Since the beginning of June the CWU has staged a number of national walkouts in protest at Royal Mail's offer of a 2.5% pay increase and the company's aggressive modernisation plans.

The union claims the shake-up plans will put about 40,000 jobs at risk.

According to the CWU, the Royal Mail has now upped its pay offer to a two-year increase worth 6.7%, however the company is sticking to pension proposals rejected by the union - such as increased employee contributions and later retirement age.

The CWU also said there has been no final agreement on a number of areas including job security, personnel procedures, automation, productivity and network changes.

No agreement

Up until now, Royal Mail has stood firm against union demands insisting they are unaffordable.

It also argues that change is necessary if it is to battle increased competition in the sector after the opening up of the UK postal market and finance the upgrading of its equipment.

According to the CWU, the Royal Mail has now ended an agreed period of calm, during which it had promised not to introduce changes to its operations, in exchange for a commitment from the union not to call further strikes.

This has led to fears that Royal Mail is about to "implement unagreed operational changes".

As a result, the CWU said it would now announce further strikes "to be held prior to the end of September".

Post by **dvbuk55** » 11 Sep 2007, 14:19

"As a result, the CWU said it would now announce further strikes "to be held prior to the end of September".

That's telling 'em! So anytime in the next 3 weeks then - no rush - take your time!

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 11 Sep 2007, 14:25

Billy says thanks he will

hotshot · Post by **hotshot** » 11 Sep 2007, 15:43

dvbuk55 wrote:"As a result, the CWU said it would now announce further strikes "to be held prior to the end of September".

That's telling 'em! So anytime in the next 3 weeks then - no rush - take your time!

_______________________________________________________________________________
What are they waiting for this is now a war winner take all,
they are trying to break our Union can you imagine what would happen if the Union was no longer there,
God Help Us All, Attack! Attack lets ave some :lfo :cfo

Bromhamhatter · Post by **Bromhamhatter** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:33

Do you really think the union make a difference?The union are just as bad as management.There will have to be another ballot,and I will not be voting yes!

IWW Fellow Worker · Post by **IWW Fellow Worker** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:34

Bromhamhatter wrote:Do you really think the union make a difference?The union are just as bad as management.There will have to be another ballot,and I will not be voting yes!

Oh, right!

Bromhamhatter · Post by **Bromhamhatter** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:38

Can you remember a single socialist policy that `New Labour` have come up with?

IWW Fellow Worker · Post by **IWW Fellow Worker** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:40

Bromhamhatter wrote:Can you remember a single socialist policy that `New Labour` have come up with?

Of course not. I'm struggling to think of any socialist policy any Labour Government has come up with.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:42

Bromhamhatter wrote:Do you really think the union make a difference?The union are just as bad as management.There will have to be another ballot,and I will not be voting yes!

Sorry to disappoint you but this has been discussed twice and there is no need for a re ballot. The union can still call us out on the previous mandate.

Bromhamhatter · Post by **Bromhamhatter** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:44

The trouble is the union have backed themselves into a corner,these strikes have been about deliveries,and not mail centres.If it comes to it I will drop out of the union and go into work.

prowler · Post by **prowler** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:45

Bromhamhatter wrote:Can you remember a single socialist policy that `New Labour` have come up with?

So why the f*** are we funding them.
I'm just glad I'm in Scotland where we kicked them out.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:46

Bromhamhatter wrote:The trouble is the union have backed themselves into a corner,these strikes have been about deliveries,and not mail centres.If it comes to it I will drop out of the union and go into work.

Once they have finished with deliveries they will come after mail centers though and then the MCs will need support of the DOs.

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:50

Bromhamhatter wrote:The trouble is the union have backed themselves into a corner,these strikes have been about deliveries,and not mail centres.If it comes to it I will drop out of the union and go into work.

Don't workers in mailcentres have pensions?

Don't let the door hit your ar*e on your way out.

Bromhamhatter · Post by **Bromhamhatter** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:50

They have been doing that already.And as to a re-ballot,a union person from our office has said that they need to ballot after 3months.Whether thats right or not,I dont know.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 11 Sep 2007, 18:51

Bromhamhatter wrote:They have been doing that already.And as to a re-ballot,a union person from our office has said that they need to ballot after 3months.Whether thats right or not,I dont know.

Only after 3 months with NO industrial action. Its only been a month so I am afraid your rep is misinformed.