CWU says Royal Mail workers 'certain' to back strike

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24099852" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The general secretary of the the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has said that a strike ballot of postal workers will lead to industrial action.

Billy Hayes told The Andrew Marr Show that he was "absolutely confident" of a yes vote.

The union is unhappy about privatisation plans, as well as a current pay offer.

The outcome of the ballot will be announced on 3 October, with strikes possible seven days after that.

The current proposal from Royal Mail gives staff a pay increase of 8.6% over three years.

This is the first nationwide strike ballot for Royal Mail workers since 2009.

After the ballot was announced, Royal Mail chief executive Moya Greene, said that she still hoped to reach an agreement with the union.

"Talk of a ballot for industrial action makes no sense when there is a significant three-year deal on the table and negotiations are ongoing," she said.

While Mr Hayes argued Royal Mail did need investment, and faced increased competition for parcel deliveries from the likes of TNT, he insisted that privatisation was not the best option.

"Privatisation will damage our postal service," he said.

He added that in terms of support from the union for a strike, and his opposition to privatisation, he was "very confident in our position."

Moratorium?
Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond on Sunday called for a moratorium on the privatisation of Royal Mail until after the independence referendum.

He told the BBC's Sunday Politics Scotland programme: "I want a moratorium on the sell off of the Royal Mail to allow the people of Scotland, when they vote next year, to come to a decision on whether that national asset should stay in public hands or be hived off as the London government intend to do at the present moment."

The government last week gave formal notice to the stock exchange of plans to privatise the Royal Mail "in the coming weeks".

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna, speaking on the BBC's Sunday Politics programme said that Labour will not pledge to renationalise the Royal Mail.

Any such move would be "completely irresponsible" and "like writing a blank cheque" he said.


Chuka Umunna says Labour will not pledge to renationalise the Royal Mail as it would be "completely irresponsible"
Under the privatisation plans, Royal Mail staff will get 10% of the shares. The public and institutional investors will be able to purchase the rest.

The minimum amount members of the public can buy in shares will be £750.

Free shares will be given to 150,000 UK-based Royal Mail employees, who will be able to apply for additional shares under an employee priority offer, with a minimum application of £500.

BBC business editor Robert Peston said he expected the sale to take place in November.

[Cut Off King]

Billy Hayes told The Andrew Marr Show that he was "absolutely confident" of a yes vote

What is this based upon ?

Shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna, speaking on the BBC's Sunday Politics programme said that Labour will not pledge to renationalise the Royal Mail.

Any such move would be "completely irresponsible"

And why are we (CWU) giving money Labour ?

[hans solo]

and why scotland will be independent in 2014

[skull]

and why scotland will be independent in 2014

Alex Salmond's argument is that the Scottish people own 8% of RM and the government don't have the right to sell off and pocket the cash raised from Scottish assets a year before the independence referendum.

[heapsy]

I'm not so sure. A lot of people felt let down after the last dispute. Coupled with the fact that economic times are hard for many.

[DavidUK]

and why scotland will be independent in 2014

Alex Salmond's argument is that the Scottish people own 8% of RM and the government don't have the right to sell off and pocket the cash raised from Scottish assets a year before the independence referendum.

If he was that worried about this issue he should have had the referendum two years ago when the SNP won the Scottish elections instead of delaying it as long as he could in the hope that public support for 'independence' would increase.

[stokes11eg]

I'm not being cynical here--but--,do you think Billy has sudenly realised that if Privatisation goes ahead, and the ranks of R/M employees are reduced in number, that it's goodbye to the subs, and he could be out of work---hence his call now for a strike?

[barbario]

I'm not so sure. A lot of people felt let down after the last dispute. Coupled with the fact that economic times are hard for many.

Well being unemployed in three years time will make things a damn sight harder for people.Remember,this deal is only for three years,after that,its hunting season.

[Red Robbo]

If the Union thinks its going to get a 10 year deal on terms & conditions then " loony tunes" springs to mind

[Shambles]

If the Union thinks its going to get a 10 year deal on terms & conditions then " loony tunes" springs to mind

Catch the wabbit....Catch the wabbit .....Beep Beep...Thomaaaaaaas!

just having flash backs

[TrueBlueTerrier]

If the Union thinks its going to get a 10 year deal on terms & conditions then " loony tunes" springs to mind

Its a political ploy, nothing else. Anyway even if they got it by some miracle, its means absolutely nothing. All the business has to do is claim poverty or get some money grabbing politicians on side and they will start attacking our T&Cs. One thing's for sure all they have to do is add a sweetener and some posties will accept anything, all the business has to do is pitch the sweetener at the right level and the lemmings will run over each other to accept, its human nature after all.

[subbie]

Alex Salmond has a point.

Subbie

[Mr Incognito]

Is it just me or does anyone else think that striking will be a complete and utter waste of time that will just lead to us losing money and any public sympathy that might exist? Surely it would be better to work to rule as I am sure that it would not take much to tip most post-revision offices over the edge?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Is it just me or does anyone else think that striking will be a complete and utter waste of time that will just lead to us losing money and any public sympathy that might exist? Surely it would be better to work to rule as I am sure that it would not take much to tip most post-revision offices over the edge?

Well I disagree with everything you posted here, and have posted numerous times why, but its your opinion and is therefore as valid and as welcome as anyone elses. Although if I may venture its a somewhat self defeating position.

Actually i think for once, if handled correctly, public sympathy will be with us.

[heapsy]

I'm not so sure. A lot of people felt let down after the last dispute. Coupled with the fact that economic times are hard for many.

Well being unemployed in three years time will make things a damn sight harder for people.Remember,this deal is only for three years,after that,its hunting season.

You are quite right but some people think too short term. They worry about next week / month not next year and those after.