What is the point of div reps or area reps. ?

[HappyGuy]

It seems to me that all the work and representation is done by local reps.
What exactly do area reps do? I have been a postal delivery worker for over 15 years. I have no idea what Divisional reps sre supposed to be there for.
As regards the local CWU branch. Who are they and what is there purpose?
Can anyone please enlighten me?

[SpacePhoenix]

When the list gets posted on our union board of all reps in all offices in the area, probably 3/4 maybe more of DOs don't have a local rep

[Postie93]

Most of the Reps in my works are an embarrassing joke, they're apologists and enablers for management, they're out for themselves and their perks, sad really because this union was once good and principled, now they're just a rubber stamp for RM and their continued erosion of dignity and respect for the workforce!.

[ebbzie]

Our 2 area reps occasionally turn up and spend their time laughing joking and drinking tea with the managers , then go without talking to any of the members.

[hans solo]

Vote them out
There should be nominations put forward if not happy
And you should only be rep for so long to cut out being manipulated by RM

[antcpfc]

Most of the Reps in my works are an embarrassing joke, they're apologists and enablers for management, they're out for themselves and their perks, sad really because this union was once good and principled, now they're just a rubber stamp for RM and their continued erosion of dignity and respect for the workforce!.

So true. Look how quickly the union stance changed when RM threatened to stop taking our subs from wages and also to remove 75% of the time given for union duties.Scared they may have to do the duties that they are only too keen for us to do.

[Mickeybrowneyes]

Our area reps work extremely hard and are respected by all the unit reps.
This has been a particularly difficult time for them with numerous suspensions and daily attacks by managers.
They communicate with members in my area frequently and provide support and advise daily to the unit reps.
Their line of communication for advice/direction is their div reps.
A structure we should uphold and other unions dream of.
Sorry all your experiences do not coincide with mine.

[HappyGuy]

So glad you have good experiences with your reps.
Unfortunately in my area Lancashire. Its not so good. The local rep is ok but they complain of not being in the loop with area, branch or division.
It seems to me that the area reps and divisional reps only represent themselves. The branch doesnt serve any purpose to the membership whatsoever. It merely does local admin for HQ.

[Weetrogg2]

My area rep is good and is always willing to help me as a local rep but divisional reps I find to be pointless as their knowledge of what the shop floor is like is almost nonexistent.

[Mickeybrowneyes]

My area rep is good and is always willing to help me as a local rep but divisional reps I find to be pointless as their knowledge of what the shop floor is like is almost nonexistent.

Yeah I suppose they are the link between the postal executive and the areas so they serve little purpose to unit reps but provide guidance for area level.
Hard to judge the quality of the div reps if you barely know them.
Maybe they could make more effort to visit offices.
It could only serve as a positive for the face of the union.
There is a high possibility they are too busy to do this regularly, especially in these times.

[postslippete]

There is a high possibility they are too busy to do this regularly, especially in these times.

Too busy doing what exactly? What do all these senior reps and PECs actually do?? There is likely to be a lot of inefficiency in the Union, just like there is in RM's management structure. If you look at Royal Mail's end of year financial results, they actually want to quite a few layers of management and the Union would do well to do the same.

[clarhick]

My area rep was good but not great, very supportive and tried really hard for me. The divisional rep was defeatist and during the actual appeal hearing was disorganised and unprofessional. The reason why ‘he’ won my appeal was because of all of the the evidence that I prepared and sent through in advance for the hearing, dissecting the claims made against me. The divisional rep bragged beforehand that he presented dozens of appeals every week. After ‘he’ won (I won) the appeal he then told us that it was the first appeal that he had EVER won.

[mafiaman]

I think a minority are out for themselves just like everything that is bad in the world,but it's workers and people power that gets things changed ,but when you get the union who are supposed to represent us go against the people you really have to fight harder and remove them just like any government in the world.would love to know what % of union reps voted yes

[guardianangel]

The union has become a cash cow for lazy postman when a paid union job comes up to st in an office doing bugger all the reps are clambering over themselves to move up that ladder.

[HappyGuy]

Well thanks everyone for your input. So i am to assume from your responses that most agree the present structure for the CWU is not fit for purpose.