Latest Update from CWU

[groundhog_day]

CWU Update at 5.30pm

[Seymour Buts]

It means they start and stop. It's the opposite of continuous ie staying out til it's settled type action.

I follow, thanks! So it's what we've been doing. I just hadn't heard that praise before.

[sixfoottwo]

CWU Update at 5.30pm

https://twitter.com/CWUnews/status/1592 ... gr%5Etweet

Get fully prepared for faces of doom

[Rommagic]

You tube at 5.30?.

[mw7485]

There's a link to pdf update on the CWU Facebook page......

[groundhog_day]

https://www.cwu.org/wp-content/uploads/ ... .11.22.pdf

[anTi]

[heraldmoth]

Not worth reading, basically says they’ve done f**k all

[smok3y666]

On the eve of Royal Mail Group making statements to the market, it is important we give you the broadest
possible update on the current situation. This document sets out the CWU’s view on why the company’s
finances have deteriorated, where we are in negotiations and what the future holds.
On Thursday 17th November, Royal Mail Group will give an update to the markets on their financial performance and
set out their view on the future of the company. We obviously do not have the full detail of their announcements, but it
is clear they are likely to cover the areas set out below.

FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMPANY
We acknowledge that Royal Mail Group now faces
significant financial challenges and that this is not being
helped by economic and market conditions which have
resulted in a drop off in parcel and letter volumes. The
reality is however - a business making record profits of
£758m announced in May 2022, should not just weeks
later turn into one losing over a £1m a day.
The truth is, the Royal Mail Group CEO and Board have not
acted with integrity and transparency in their dealings with
the union since the beginning of this year and they have made
huge mistakes along the way which have led directly to them
announcing 10,000 job losses – something we simply cannot
accept. This amounts to gross mismanagement.
• They still cannot explain why they walked away from
the Pathway to Change agreement – this was a selfinflicted wound which delayed the opportunity for true
modernisation.
• They cannot explain why they prioritised handing over £567m
to shareholders this year, rather than supporting their own
key workers during the most severe cost of living crisis in
living memory.
• They cannot explain why they refused our offer to escalate
negotiations and meet the Board, deciding instead to press
on regardless with a series of unagreed changes that were
always going to lead to a dispute.
• They cannot explain or justify the recent decision to abandon
the respected household name of Royal Mail and rename it
‘International Distributions Services’, whilst also ending the
cross-subsidy arrangements from GLS profits.
• They cannot explain why they are not taking advantage
of the unrivalled reach of the Royal Mail Group network
and diversifying products and services. Instead they see
the universal service obligation as a disadvantage and we
understand they may now be approaching the government
to end six day letter deliveries.
We believe these reckless decisions have been driven by
Boardroom power struggles, in the full knowledge that the
company has been facing a potential takeover for some time.
This is backed up by the fact the government has now given
clearance to the private equity firm VESA to increase their
shareholding. A takeover bid could be imminent and there
has been a recent sharp increase in share value, which means
someone is clearly buying them.
We want an agreement that’s in the interests of our members,
customers and the future of the company, but it cannot be
one where postal workers pay the price for the mistakes of
the CEO and Board. Neither can it be an agreement where
Royal Mail Group becomes just another gig economy parcels
courier.
What we are facing is not just a failure of management, it’s
also a failure of privatisation. If the CEO and the Royal Mail
Board are unable to reach an agreement with the union, then
the government must step in and take Royal Mail Group back
into public hands.
As things currently stand, we believe the senior managers
who led us into this crisis do not have the ability or the right
to lead us out of it. This is why we now call on the government
to immediately launch an enquiry into the actions of the CEO
and Royal Mail Group Board. A letter has been sent to all MPs
today outlining our concerns.

[49erman]

What is going on……seriously

[smok3y666]

NEGOTIATIONS
Royal Mail Group have embarked on the most serious
and sustained set of attacks ever on postal workers.
This coupled with the financial mismanagement of the
company has made these discussions the most difficult
and complex in our history.
The CWU is a union that will never face away from
modernisation or technology. We have made dozens of
agreements on both. Since the recent Joint Statement we
have been engaged in more intensive negotiations with the
employer now for over a week. Progress has been made in
some areas, but this is not reflected yet in the commitments
the company are prepared to put in writing. We will give
members a further update on the status of negotiations later
this week.
The CWU remains committed to reaching an agreement and
we are prepared to continue negotiations with Royal Mail
Group to deliver this ahead of next week’s strike action.
We must be crystal clear though – unless the company move
significantly towards the union on a range of issues, the
prospect of achieving an agreement quickly is unlikely.
REDUNDANCIES
The company has now told us that to remain a going
concern, they will announce to the markets tomorrow
that they must proceed with preference exercises to seek
volunteers for redundancy. However, as Royal Mail is not
yet prepared to commit to no compulsory redundancies
in writing and our existing VR processes and terms, we
cannot support this activity.
Further advice on our position will be issued to all
CWU branches.
POTENTIAL SALE OF GLS
Recent press reports indicate GLS is about to be sold. The
announcement on this may be imminent and if this is the
case should be seen as another panic measure to look
after and appease major shareholders.
The threat of selling GLS must not be used as a weapon
against our members. We are certain people will see this
move for exactly what it is - big shareholders hedging their
bets. If the private equity firm VESA takes over Royal Mail on
the cheap, they will also make a fortune in dividends when
GLS is sold off.
STRIKE ACTION
Strike action will continue to be a last resort for our
members. Not a single postal worker wanted to be in this
position. This dispute has been driven by an aggressive
and out of control management team and we know our
members will continue to stand against their actions.
The CWU are in the room willing to negotiate a settlement
and deliver an agreement that protects our members’ jobs,
enhances the service we provide to the public and businesses
and secures the future of the company. To do this, we need
Royal Mail Group to have the same mindset.
The CWU will continue to do everything possible to reach
an agreement, but it is vital that every member and
representative now builds for the strike action planned for
the 24th, 25th and 30th November and 1st December.
CONCLUSION
Our members connect communities in a way no other
service does and they are part of the social fabric of the
UK. The disputes on pay and change are about the very
future of your job and the services you provide to 32
million households.
The Royal Mail Group can continue to be a major contributor
to the UK economy and provide decent well paid jobs, whilst
delivering genuine modernisation – but it’s only our collective
strength and solidarity that will make this happen.
Thank you as ever for your support.
CWU Headquarters: 150 The Broadway | Wimbledon | SW19 1RX T: 020 8971 7200 | F: 020 8971 7300
6879 Published by the Communication Workers Union 2022.
Dave Ward
General Secretary
Andy Furey
Acting Deputy
General Secretary (Postal)

[Cucumber]

Reads like the CWU have finally been shown the balance sheet, and it ain't good.

[Chitchat]

Looks like strikes this Christmas then!

[sindba]

Reads like the CWU have finally been shown the balance sheet, and it ain't good.

That's what I thought.

But the bottom line is the strikes are still on unless there's a miracle breakthrough this week.

[sindba]

Mutually Assured Destruction this, innit?

RM: "If we're going down, we're taking you with us"
CWU "OK, but if we're going down, we're taking you with us"

But what other choice do we have?