Further postal strikes planned for Bridgwater

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.bridgwatermercury.co.uk/news ... r/?ref=rss" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

POSTAL workers in Bridgwater locked in dispute with their Royal Mail bosses have announced another four days of strike action – starting this Saturday (August 10).

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are in dispute with managers over working agreements and staffing levels.

More than 100 postal workers at the Bridgwater Delivery Office in Friarn Street have already taken five days of strike action, which affected the TA5, TA6 and TA7 postcodes.

However, after failing to reach an agreement with Royal Mail, further strikes are planned for August 10, 12, 17 and 19. The same post codes will be affected.

Dave Chapple, Bristol CWU branch chair, said: “The original issues are still with us and unresolved; un-agreed cuts to full-time jobs and overtime, failure to negotiate with the union and failure to pay money for previous savings.

“Royal Mail, unlike many previous legal official and unofficial strikes at Bridgwater, are digging in and refusing to consider reasonable compromises.”

After this month’s strikes, members of the CWU are also contemplating a whole week of strike action at the beginning of September.

Rhys Jones, Royal Mail spokesman, said: “Royal Mail remains fully committed to the process of trying to resolve concerns of postal workers based in Bridgwater by continuing to follow the national jointly-agreed framework with the Communication Workers Union.

“We will continue to engage with the CWU to find a way forward.”

Postal workers say support from the Communication Workers’ Union and other trade unions has restored morale.

More than 20 trade unionists supported the Friarn Street picket lines. ‘Solidarity Hour’ runs from 8am to 9am.

For more information contact Dave Chapple on 0777 6304 276 or davechapple@btinternet.com.

[daveyeff]

royal mail remains fully committed,,,,,,,, i heard that before somewhere

[UnhappyGremlin]

It does appear that Royal Mail are in fact fully committed.
But only to ignoring the feelings and opinions of the staff at Bridgwater, and refusing to enter into meaningful discussions.
And apparently insisting that they are completely in the right, and the staff are overreacting.

Well done to all for sticking to their guns and standing up for what they believe in, and supporting each other.

[daveyeff]

i was talking to the rep about these stikes today, and he reckons rm wont budge on it because they know a full blown all out stike is on the cards anyway in the next 6 weeks or 2 months or so. he says the best thing those lads can do is either reduce their losses by dropping the amount of strikes or switch to work to rule and complete overtime ban, at least until the 'big one' has been balloted on.,,,,sounds about right to me.,,,maybe.

[zola4ever]

There are three posties from my office in South Devon scabbing at Bridgwater. I hope none of them ever need the union.

[redrobber]

I wonder how many of Moya's useful idiots have flooded into that office?