CWU agrees Royal Mail strike ballot

[fishtank]

CWU agrees Royal Mail strike ballot

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/cwu-agr ... allot.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

1st August 2013

The Communication Workers Union has today (Thursday) agreed to hold a national strike ballot of Royal Mail workers unless protections for jobs and services can be secured.

Around 500 CWU reps met at the union's policy forum in London today and voted unanimously in favour of holding a national strike ballot in Royal Mail no later than September 2013. If the ballot goes ahead it will include 115,000 postal workers in Royal Mail (excluding Parcelforce and the Post Office) and would be the first ballot for national strike action in Royal Mail since September 2009.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "The current situation cannot go on. Postal workers are being squeezed in their workplaces, facing an uncertain future and changes to their pensions. There hasn't yet been a pay rise for staff this year despite healthy company profits of £403 million. But most importantly, we want protections for job security and terms and conditions and these are sadly lacking.

"CWU is committed to holding serious negotiations with Royal Mail to achieve settlement on these issues, but efforts to date do not bode well.

"The company only began to seriously negotiate with us following our consultative ballot in June, which showed 99% of postal workers back the union's position on pay, 96% are opposed to privatisation and 92% are willing to take part in a boycott of competitors' mail and to withdraw cooperation on workplace changes.

"We do not take the decisions to hold a strike ballot lightly. However, we will stop at nothing to ensure the future of our members' jobs - and of the services they deliver - are protected."

Wording of the policy:

"That the CWU will prioritise national negotiations along the policy lines stated. If satisfactory agreements cannot be secured, the union will hold a National Industrial Action Ballot no later than September 2013. The Postal Executive will have discretion to enact the ballot earlier in light of events, the actions of management and progress made."

CWU reps are debated a range of issues at the two-day policy forum, including securing job protections in Royal Mail, alternative business models to privatisation, changes to pensions, and workplace pressure.

[daveyeff]

lets hope the union leaders dont balls up the ballot on some stupid technicality only for them shytes to throw a spanner in the works and get an injunction to get it stopped,,,,,,,AGAIN.

[daveyeff]

if the ballot is held in september, does that mean we will be out by october then? (obviously if they get a yes vote that is)

[TrueBlueTerrier]

if the ballot is held in September, does that mean we will be out by October then? (obviously if they get a yes vote that is)

Possibly depends on how long they hold the ballot for and whether they take the full 28 days to instigate the action. Its looking to me, that October/November is the favourite. Which makes me nervous as members will be worried about Christmas, and the public will turn against us fast if they think we will jeopardising the festive season,which the press and RoyalMail will help stir up. We need action fast if this is going to a serious dispute n which we want as much support as possible.

[Red Robbo]

Dave said we haven't had a pay rise this year, well we didn't get the chance to vote on the 8.6% did we !!!

[chickenwittle]

i have never worked a strike in my life but the way things are in my office at the minute has got me thinking why i should bother.Majority start before their time ,use cars,no breaks and rush around yet they gob off about needing a strike.The thing is the day after a strike they will do the same again and clear all the mail for nothing.So if my office doesnt agree to a work to rule weeks in advance and stick to it ,im gonna have a tough decision to make.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Dave said we haven't had a pay rise this year, well we didn't get the chance to vote on the 8.6% did we !!!

The consultative Ballot was a pre-vote on it , and I don't see anyone in the CWU (from me and my mates to Billy) accepting the No strike clause that came with it.

[Andy51]

Like the union to offer the deal first which Royal Mail suggested ,instead of making up their own minds 8.6percent over three years is better than the rest of the country are getting.sod strike.and I'm not the only one saying it billy and dave

[Lance Jack]

Brinksmanship? The union gets a yes vote, they go back to the table to say "look, this is how our membership feels (% of vote) and this is what they want us to do. Now lets talk or we walk" They may even set a date for industrial action to put RM under a bit of pressure not to drag their heels. The other thing. Do they (the Government) really want us to walk out as we are getting ready to be privatised? Surely a firm in dispute would not raise the capital the Government wants? Who would buy into a company with industrial relations problems? (I know, we always have industrial relations problems) Moya may end up under pressure from her employers to get it sorted.

[chickenwittle]

shame,some people only think about the money.

[fishtank]

Like the union to offer the deal first which Royal Mail suggested ,instead of making up their own minds 8.6percent over three years is better than the rest of the country are getting.sod strike.and I'm not the only one saying it billy and dave

They didn't make up their own minds,the members did.
The membership voted by 97% to endorse a policy of reaching a "no strings" straightforward pay deal.
This wasn't a "no strings" straightforward pay deal therefore the union had no choice but to reject it.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Like the union to offer the deal first which Royal Mail suggested ,instead of making up their own minds 8.6percent over three years is better than the rest of the country are getting.sod strike.and I'm not the only one saying it billy and dave

Even you endorsed the CWUs position - If I am reading this post correctly. http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 80#p566680" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Instead of this crap give us a decent wage rise that's all we want

[Stormproof]

Like the union to offer the deal first which Royal Mail suggested ,instead of making up their own minds 8.6percent over three years is better than the rest of the country are getting.sod strike.and I'm not the only one saying it billy and dave

There is more to this than seeing £ signs. You will be a lot worse off if this had been signed off as it currently stands unless of course you intend to leave RM within 3 years. Perhaps you should read up on it before you comment.

[redman]

I know I am a Manager and my views will no doubt go down like a lead balloon but .......

8.6% is a hell of a pay rise over 3yrs, many workers including public sector are taking pay cuts and will continue to do so. The public won't support this argument despite strings.

Privatisation- In my opinion ( for what its worth) if you strike the government won't float RM, it will be sold to a venture capital concern, possibly a company from the USA and these people play hardball with workers rights and you can expect a change of terms and conditions a lot sooner. Floating on the stock market might not be everyone's cup of tea but at least you have a guarantee of three years and the free shares. The shares will be worth something despite scaremongering and comparison to the valueless ones we had.

The offer under a Tory Government that destroyed the coal and steel industry is a good one.

[labbloke]

Yes so true red man manager, your views are indeed strange and need to be shot down. The offer whilst a decent figure also came with strings attached ie major pension changes which if not challenged would leave you £100000 worse off in your old age. As for your asset stripping yanks scenario , tell me why they are any different to a privatised company that will over time cut pay terms and conditions and will undoubtedly slash and burn through the top heavy management, possibly including yourself, after all the shareholders must be paid out every year. So you carry on wishing to lose your job , I for one will be fighting for mine, so don't get in my way