REDBRIDGE: Postal strike this Saturday

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/mostpo ... turday.php

By Charlie Campbell

POSTAL strikes threaten to cripple communications in East London this Saturday ahead of two nationwide 48-hour walk-outs next week.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) will picket local Royal Mail delivery offices in South Woodford, Leytonstone and Chingford to protest against pay and working practices. Then union members across the country will strike on Oct 5 to 6 and 8 to 9.

East London area delivery representative John Coakley of the CWU said that they want to return to the negotiating table but any progress has been blocked by Royal Mail.

He added: "We have been subjected to executive action regarding savings and job loses which has taken place without any consultation. In the face of this our only weapon is industrial action which is entirely proportional.

"I apologise to the public about the disruption but we want them to have a first class service and that can't happen with the cuts being made. Deliveries are getting later and that's not the type of service we want to provide."

One disgruntled worker at the South Woodford delivery office, who wished not to be named, said attempts to make delivery staff begin routes later to avoid paying early-start fees were just the thin edge of the wedge.

He added: "It's about the conversion of full-time jobs to part-time jobs. They are trying to introduce term-time contracts and seasonal contracts so that they don't have to pay staff over the quiet months of June, July and August.

"But this effectively means that people will not be earning for these three months and so delivery staff will pretty much be working part-time when you consider the average number of hours worked over the whole of the year."

A spokesman for the Royal Mail criticised the CWU. He said: "It is clear from our discussions that the CWU leadership does not begin to understand the challenges facing Royal Mail and the very serious consequences for the business if we do not push ahead and modernise.

"The union has wrongly said that we have taken executive action' on pensions when they know the company has not yet started its official 60-day pension consultation, which will begin in the first week in October and during which we will be listening to the views of all our people and other stakeholders."

2:22pm Tuesday 25th September 2007

[L Tommo]

Nice one Johnny Coakley.... Nice to see the boys in Eastern are getting out n about....



OUT


NEVER LET THE BASTARDS GRIND US DOWN!!

[Wild Rover]

A spokesman for the Royal Mail criticised the CWU. He said: "It is clear from our discussions that the CWU leadership does not begin to understand the challenges facing Royal Mail and the very serious consequences for the business if we do not push ahead and modernise.

... and during which we will be listening to the views of all our people and other stakeholders."

Wrong. It is clear from reading material that RM leadership does not care one jot about its staff and the challenges facing them (should all this crap go through). RM do not have a clue as to how much effect these strikes will cause them - that in itself is a ver serious consequence for Leighton and Crozier

"Of all our people"?! I'm ashamed to be part of "you"

[DirtyHarry]

"we will be listening to the views of all our people and other stakeholders."

Bullshit alert , bullshit alert , bullshit alert , bullshit alert , bullshit alert.

[Pochahontas]

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/mostpo ... turday.php

By Charlie Campbell

POSTAL strikes threaten to cripple communications in East London this Saturday ahead of two nationwide 48-hour walk-outs next week.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) will picket local Royal Mail delivery offices in South Woodford, Leytonstone and Chingford to protest against pay and working practices. Then union members across the country will strike on Oct 5 to 6 and 8 to 9.

East London area delivery representative John Coakley of the CWU said that they want to return to the negotiating table but any progress has been blocked by Royal Mail.

He added: "We have been subjected to executive action regarding savings and job loses which has taken place without any consultation. In the face of this our only weapon is industrial action which is entirely proportional.

"I apologise to the public about the disruption but we want them to have a first class service and that can't happen with the cuts being made. Deliveries are getting later and that's not the type of service we want to provide."

One disgruntled worker at the South Woodford delivery office, who wished not to be named, said attempts to make delivery staff begin routes later to avoid paying early-start fees were just the thin edge of the wedge.

He added: "It's about the conversion of full-time jobs to part-time jobs. They are trying to introduce term-time contracts and seasonal contracts so that they don't have to pay staff over the quiet months of June, July and August.

"But this effectively means that people will not be earning for these three months and so delivery staff will pretty much be working part-time when you consider the average number of hours worked over the whole of the year."

A spokesman for the Royal Mail criticised the CWU. He said: "It is clear from our discussions that the CWU leadership does not begin to understand the challenges facing Royal Mail and the very serious consequences for the business if we do not push ahead and modernise.

"The union has wrongly said that we have taken executive action' on pensions when they know the company has not yet started its official 60-day pension consultation, which will begin in the first week in October and during which we will be listening to the views of all our people and other stakeholders."

2:22pm Tuesday 25th September 2007

that bit I highlighted is the most shocking bit that people dont get - this cannot be right - its going back to the days of when they wanted to implement split shifts - this is much worse than that.

[ROCKY]

question about picket lines,if there was no line when everyone went into work but a line appeared before going out on del,what would we do,after all you are crossing a line in either direction

[fatherchristmas]

keep driving round in circles

[jcjd]

all north london out this saturday too

[robert37uk]

yes stratford delivery office out to this saturday,we had a meeting with manager today and he told us that 3 deliveries were coming out the office and they were getting part time workers in to do them, and everyoneone in the office would have to sort out who throws these walks off ,for these guys who come in to do them. no discussions nothing.

[POSTMAN]

So i was right-ish then,although my rep told me all of London,seems so far it's us(SE) East and North so far.

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/forum/vi ... php?t=4642

[POSTMAN]

Just off to the picket line and it's pissin down,just hope they'e got the cover up.