Thompson - New agreement sent to CWU

[Acca Dacca]

Until there is an offer that the union believes that more than half of the members will accept then the dispute and strikes will continue. Our individual views are completely irrelevant.

That's completely contradictory, how on earth will they know what we will accept if we don't express our individual views?

Our individual views are far from irrelevant.

They get a feel for it through the branch divisional reps who are told by the office reps what the feeling is from the members

Whether thats the right way of doing it is another question but they do ask the reps what our thoughts are

[michael147]

The only way to negotiate with dictators is to string them up by the balls at the nearest petrol station like Mussolini

My grandfather fought in Italy during the war and actually saw that.
His memory keeps me going in these difficult times.

[einastronaut]

Until there is an offer that the union believes that more than half of the members will accept then the dispute and strikes will continue. Our individual views are completely irrelevant.

That's completely contradictory, how on earth will they know what we will accept if we don't express our individual views?

Our individual views are far from irrelevant.

They get a feel for it through the branch divisional reps who are told by the office reps what the feeling is from the members

Whether thats the right way of doing it is another question but they do ask the reps what our thoughts are

Our rep is an avowed "quiet quitter" who wants to "watch the ship burn".

I doubt he is feeding up any of the genuine sentiment in our office. There's no excuse for not balloting on this deal. It's for the members to decide.

[i8sheep]

He is playing the CWU at their own game, Newtons third law.

Rather than temporarily suspending strike days while in ACAS Mediation, the strikes continue.

Acas is an impartial mediator and designed to calm thing down gving both sides an option to reflect and engage in good faith. you cannot do that if one party has a hand tied behind its back

[k979aaa]

20 POSTS and tells us the path to freedom hello Simon
#

[k979aaa]

20 POSTS and tells us the path to freedom hello Simon
#

[chrisj]

[/quote]

So the union should have just stepped aside from the start and allowed Royal Mail to crack on regardless ?Unless they are in the room constantly fighting the worst of these proposals what’s the point ? We all accept the job will need to change in some capacity but the union must fight tooth and nail to assure that change works for its members in the way of pay and family life , or what’s the point in a union ?
[/quote]

The Union should have embraced the changes and work with and around the changes; not think that they are part of the management or board... In the publication about voting for strikes on terms and conditions - the CWU rejected every single proposal by Royal Mail - without even coming up with better proposals or amendments. Every single change was unacceptable and designed to be negative and so on.

In terms of a pay rise,no truly believed that we could have got a better deal without too much rancour but the CWU got cocky and rude and started abusing shareholders (of which postmen and women belong). They spent too much time talking about a no-string pay deal and mismanagement and no confidence in the board.

I don't think the CWU has changed or faced full reality yet; it might be too late for them if the next strike goes ahead... Simon keeps taking about attitudes - I get it!

The CWU just could not read the room. They are a bit-part player in a PLC; owned by shareholders - that little part they had was still very good for them and us until they got too big-headed thinking they are equals with management.

This has never been a negotiations of equals and the Minor player should have recognised the position much earlier on. Certainly by the start of October, the position of RM was clear and the effectiveness of strikes or influence of the CWU had been severely diminished. That was the time for intense negotiations and to cut a deal within the deal given.

Yes, Schiff, they will have to accept the structural changes proposed by royal mail - however, the changes in the final agreement is not exactly what we thought it would be at the start; so there has been movement!
They should get us more money and secure our jobs. Any member not happy can vote against such a deal - but they should also accept if majority vote for such a deal.

[pinstripe]

There are so many people on here that seem to think that if the CWU had accepted RM’s initial proposals, later starts, Sunday working, annualised hours, sick pay etc, that that would been it. Those of us who look out into the real world know that if we had bent over and gratefully accepted those horrific changes, RM would have come back for more. They would have ripped out every good term and condition we have, paid meal relief, enhanced annual leave, IHR, anything you can think of, would be taken from us. Still, those who are still here next year have that to look forward to. Our industry leading terms, conditions and pay will be the same as Yodel or Hermes, or maybe not so good.

[dohnut]

The union are in a difficult position, if they put this offer to the members, and its a s**t deal and we except it, people wont be happy with the union and maybe the union wont be here anymore, Don’t get me wrong we need the union, but the union also has an agenda.

[CRIBMAD]

Put It to the members , the PEC can still recommend a no vote so can save face if its accepted.
But if we are on strike dec 24 i will be going in to deliver any Christmas related ítems where possible and give my days pay to charity .

disgraceful !!! hang your head in SHAME !

[k979aaa]

The fight will continue and hope that all will engage this fight for justice and truth and fair pay for a fair days work!

[CRIBMAD]

I won't vote to accept any "deal" that isn't at least an inflation based pay rise with extra for any changes that they want. I'm happy to keep striking unless we get that. The union's only mandate from members is to achieve a no strings pay deal.

BYE BYE Thompson you may ruin the company but at least we take you down with it !

[Rapido123]

As regards to the statement

“The CEO has told us he has a Board meeting at 5pm on Monday and that this is effectively his deadline for negotiations to conclude.”

Perhaps Simon has to report to the board that a deal has been done, or he will be shown the door.

[derekm]

IF said deal is put to members would strike action need to be called off ??? Until results came in. Because the time voting papers went out & returned xmas would be over. is this part of Thompson’s master plan with the threat of no more talks. To get through the xmas period.

[einastronaut]

There are so many people on here that seem to think that if the CWU had accepted RM’s initial proposals, later starts, Sunday working, annualised hours, sick pay etc, that that would been it. Those of us who look out into the real world know that if we had bent over and gratefully accepted those horrific changes, RM would have come back for more. They would have ripped out every good term and condition we have, paid meal relief, enhanced annual leave, IHR, anything you can think of, would be taken from us. Still, those who are still here next year have that to look forward to. Our industry leading terms, conditions and pay will be the same as Yodel or Hermes, or maybe not so good.

Yes, you're right. The Union were always in a difficult position. Yet the alternative is playing out now. The company are simply going to do it all regardless, without the Union.

The CWU could have attempted to mitigate the worst of it, while conserving enough strength to fight the next battle, when it invariably came. Instead, they've seemingly chosen this particular hill to die on, by, from the get go, refusing to budge on EVERYTHING, and only lately seeming to realize they now, as a consequence, can't hold onto ANYTHING. So it's become existential for the Union now. They seem intent to strike themselves into irrelevancy, with no plan and no end game.