UK unions use'consultative' strike ballots to suppress class struggle

[2chorizon]

UK unions use “consultative” strike ballots to suppress class struggle

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/0 ... s-s21.html

The “consultative” or indicative ballot is becoming the trade union bureaucracy’s weapon of choice in avoiding strikes and maintaining their role as partners with the employers.

Legally, the bureaucracy can hold such ballots at any time under their own rules. Most importantly, the unions are required by law to hold a further legal ballot if they wish to proceed with any industrial action. The consultative ballot never implies action being taken, even if a massive vote in favour is returned.

The “Industrial Action Handbook” of the largest public sector union, Unison, states that in relation to “lawful industrial action… when all your preparations have been completed to ensure we have an accurate ballot register, it will normally take a minimum of 6 weeks from the date upon which we give notice of the ballot to the employer to the first possible day of action.”

It then stresses, “Remember also that no actual industrial action can be authorised or take place on the basis of a consultative ballot.”

Consultative ballots have been used by the unions for several decades, but as resistance and anger among workers mounts during the pandemic—after a decade of relentless and unprecedented attacks on living standards—their use by the bureaucracy is becoming ever more frequent and the norm.

###### The upcoming ballot we are being given is a "consultative" ballot ######'

[stevejm]

UK unions use “consultative” strike ballots to suppress class struggle

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/0 ... s-s21.html

The “consultative” or indicative ballot is becoming the trade union bureaucracy’s weapon of choice in avoiding strikes and maintaining their role as partners with the employers.

Legally, the bureaucracy can hold such ballots at any time under their own rules. Most importantly, the unions are required by law to hold a further legal ballot if they wish to proceed with any industrial action. The consultative ballot never implies action being taken, even if a massive vote in favour is returned.

The “Industrial Action Handbook” of the largest public sector union, Unison, states that in relation to “lawful industrial action… when all your preparations have been completed to ensure we have an accurate ballot register, it will normally take a minimum of 6 weeks from the date upon which we give notice of the ballot to the employer to the first possible day of action.”

It then stresses, “Remember also that no actual industrial action can be authorised or take place on the basis of a consultative ballot.”

Consultative ballots have been used by the unions for several decades, but as resistance and anger among workers mounts during the pandemic—after a decade of relentless and unprecedented attacks on living standards—their use by the bureaucracy is becoming ever more frequent and the norm.

###### The upcoming ballot we are being given is a "consultative" ballot ######'

If the CWU were to ignore a majority 'no' vote there subs would fall through the floor

[DirtyHarry]

We are entering a new age.

One, I'm glad to be about exiting.

The CWU is finished. In truth, it was finished when on the last two disputes before this one, and with the momentum we had built up, they pulled us up short, calling off the strikes, and agreeing shite deals that have led our jobs to this parlous state.

The CWU will be in the workplace alright, but not as you think it should be.

It will be just another tier of management, until members get the message and pull their subs.

[k979aaa]

Thing is some who never done a days work in their life are advising us fuckem!

[guardianangel]

SPOT ON VOTE NO !!!!

[k979aaa]

SPOT ON VOTE NO !!!!

look at the wording of the ballot paper and I don't think it is a good agreement and thus merits no comment!

[enskied]

No need to consult, they know our opinion.

[TopperGas]

Given our latest ballot is not regarding any further IA I'm not sure if the relevance of the article, when IA was being considered the CWU held traditional ballots.

[enskied]

Given our latest ballot is not regarding any further IA I'm not sure if the relevance of the article, when IA was being considered the CWU held traditional ballots.

So what will the CWU do if there is no vote?

No right minded delivery postie will vote for this. CWU know that, so what's the plan ?

Cross their fingers and hope processing push it through.

Can of worms.

[aiden01]

Given our latest ballot is not regarding any further IA I'm not sure if the relevance of the article, when IA was being considered the CWU held traditional ballots.

So what will the CWU do if there is no vote?

No right minded delivery postie will vote for this. CWU know that, so what's the plan ?

Cross their fingers and hope processing push it through.

Can of worms.

If all of delivery vote no there is no chance of processing pushing it through.

[2chorizon]

Given our latest ballot is not regarding any further IA I'm not sure if the relevance of the article, when IA was being considered the CWU held traditional ballots.

By the 7th of june “consultative” ballot result announcement they have timed it so the “win the ballot win the dispute” 6 month strike mandate from jan 23 will have almost exactly very conveniently expired!!!

We’ve been played.

[Martin Walsh]

Not quite the ballot runs out on 16th August.

[aiden01]

Given our latest ballot is not regarding any further IA I'm not sure if the relevance of the article, when IA was being considered the CWU held traditional ballots.

By the 7th of june “consultative” ballot result announcement they have timed it so the “win the ballot win the dispute” 6 month strike mandate from jan 23 will have almost exactly very conveniently expired!!!

We’ve been played.

Yet more nonsense being posted fs get facts right.

[2chorizon]

Not quite the ballot runs out on 16th August.

Well.. with all the pontificating & PEC (shoes under the table etc) i very much doubt any strike action will be called on the existing super whammo “win the ballot win the dispute” fake blag.

No doubt there will have to be 14 days notice (june 21st at upmost earliest) in reality there will be a “period of calm” and nothing called before july (the most quietiest period of the year for mail traffic)

[k979aaa]

Unless the members reject the deal on the 18th MAY thing is telling us it is a good deal is a poor show nothing against the CWU. But it is a fallacy and a house of cards not on here to agitate but this is a s**t show of how a union comminates with us all.