Latest update from CWU & Royal Mail

[sindba]

The CWU will come to the meeting ready to talk about pay and change, subject to the assurances you are aware we are seeking from the company that you will not challenge our legal ballots on the basis of these discussions.

What does this worrying sentence mean please, anyone?

How can ballot legality be challenged because of a meeting?

And how binding will these "assurances" be? If it's just "trust us, we won't do that" from RM, it's worthless.

[daveyeff]

also, the CWU are attending the meeting subject to the assurances ''you will not challenge our legal ballots''. are they expecting to challenge our ballots like? WTF is THAT about. and it also looks like the union are going to cave on the stand alone pay rise by allowing it to be linked to change!! i f***ing well hope not!!

[Martin Walsh]

A few answers :

1. We will not ever commit to binding arbitration and I doubt Royal Mail would either so that is a non starter.

2. The PE endorsed the 19 days as a strong mandate and reaction to Royal Mail’s executive action. We know how much a pressure point it is and there would have to substantial developments for us to consider any reduction in that leverage.

3. In terms of whether we will accept going to ACAS , I think In the past we have used various facilitators whether that was Peter Harwood from ACAS , Roger Poole , Brendan Barber or Lord Tom Shaw when in dealing with Royal Mail in disputes. So it depends on the terms of reference for the use of ACAS or another Facilitator.

4. We have been in talks over pay and change in the past few months. There is no risk to the ballot. Remember the pay offer by Royal Mail is based on change.

[daveyeff]

we are asking for a ''stand alone'' pay rise though, NOT linked to change so thats a non starter straight away. unless of course the union has changed its mind on that one?

[Woody Guthrie]

Remember the pay offer by Royal Mail is based on change.

Remember the pay demand by us was not.
We've already compromised that position.
What compromise has Royal Mail made so far?

[daveyeff]

exactly woody. our pay claim was stand alone. now Terry seems to be out of the equation.

[sindba]

4. We have been in talks over pay and change in the past few months. There is no risk to the ballot

Then why are the Union seeking "assurances" from RM about it?

Never mind, I'm sure the CWU crack legal team are onto it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Hutz

[pinstripe]

4. We have been in talks over pay and change in the past few months. There is no risk to the ballot

Then why are the Union seeking "assurances" from RM about it?

Never mind, I'm sure the CWU crack legal team are onto it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lionel_Hutz

If the CWU are willing to discuss pay and change at the same meeting, to speed up the talks, RM will claim the ballots are invalid because they are separate. Why would the union need assurances from RM that they won’t? Well, RM lie, that’s why

[richietns]

To be fair Terry said pay and change were linked now months ago in one of them 7.00pm everyone attend media streams.

[bowie]

No acas,do a deal if you can in the room and move on,back the CWU all the way

[toonshola]

Serious question. Why wait until Monday? Why are the union leadership and RM management allergic to doing some work on weekends? We are all losing pay out of our already poor salaries and Dave Ward and Simon Thompson can’t earn their abhorrent salaries by meeting on a weekend to sort this dispute.
And Martin I’m sorry but if you really think there is a chance RM are being serious with the ACAS offer then more fool you. Thompson has shown to be completely spiteful and disingenuous during the past 12 months and yet the CWU still fail to see what’s right in front of them.

[CRIBMAD]

As someone who has been involved in negotiations with ACAS facilitating, I think you have the wrong impression of what ACAS does.

It is not their call to suspend strike action or indeed executive action. The only people in charge of suspending industrial action is the 17 National Elected Postal Executive members.

ACAS attempt to try and find common ground between both parties and to facilitate an agreed solution. ACAS do not have the power to insist anything of either party.

The fact Royal Mail want to use ACAS suggests they are willing to compromise on parts of their change agenda, either that or it is just a gimmick. We will soon find out.

The main drawback from using ACAS that is can be very long winded other both parties are in separate rooms whilst ACAS does shuttle diplomacy between both Parties trying to find common ground.

Let also be clear that the 19 days of strike announced has also shocked Royal Mail and on last Friday strike date Simon Thompson made a workplace comment about meeting his local postie and saying that he listened and know we have to try and get into talks.

There is huge differences between us , but we must start somewhere. Let’s see how talks get on Monday and whether it will lead to further talks.

A lot would depend on whether ACAS were used for binding arbitration or merely conciliation to try to bring the 2 sides closer together. Also, the union must not under any circumstances agree to suspend strike action as we approach the Christmas peak "as a gesture of goodwill" while the potentially prolonged ACAS talks play out.

HERE HERE - no way they suspend strikes been there before and we got royally shafted

[Surreypostie]

If we go to ACAS and fail to reach a deal can Royal Mail sack us after 12 weeks by claiming they have tried and failed to solve the dispute?

If we refuse ACAS can they get an injunction claiming we are refusing to try and solve the dispute?

No disrespect to the 17 but how many are legally qualified in employment legislation?

[Rommagic]

Let's hope for some good news on Monday.

[hans solo]

who funds acas