Royal Mail’s Modernisation Plans / Industrial Action Ballot

[lovejoy]

Royal Mail’s Modernisation Plans / Industrial Action Ballot

The purpose of this LtB is to advise branches of some recent decisions taken by the Postal Executive.

At a meeting on the 15th October the Postal Executive unanimously agreed to ballot for industrial action all Mail Centres known to be immediately affected by the company’s Mail Centre closure plan. This decision and notice of the ballot timetable was communicated to the branches directly involved. The decision was also communicated to Royal Mail in a meeting with the Managing Director.

In the full knowledge that any publicity around such a widespread ballot would potentially lead to a loss of contracts we decided to give Royal Mail a further opportunity to respond to our demands for proper negotiations by not publicising the ballot timetable.

During this period meetings have taken place with the affected branches in order to ensure that local campaigns were up and running including sending direct letters to the individual members concerned.

These developments led to further letters from Mark Higson, the Managing Director of Royal Mail and Dale Haddon, HR Director of Royal Mail Letters. The substance of these letters explained that Royal Mail wanted to work with the Union and offered an initial meeting today at 15:00 with a further two-day session to be diarised as soon as possible.

In light of these offers from the company the Postal Executive have met today and unanimously agreed to delay serving notice on the ballot by a further week. We have also unanimously agreed that, taking account of the potential loss of business contracts and to enable a final opportunity for constructive talks with the company, we will not publicise the ballot timetable until notice is served.

However, we can advise you that a letter has been sent to members’ home addresses which is due to arrive from tomorrow giving members an update on the Government review, pensions and Royal Mail’s modernisation plans. This explains that we have agreed to ballot a number of Mail Centres.

A meeting has already been arranged for Wednesday, 5th November, for the branches directly affected by the Industrial Action ballot and they have been notified prior to this LtB of the latest developments.


Further LtB’s and individual member’s letters covering all the issues in our campaign will be sent out in due course.

Regards,


Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)

Martin Collins
Assistant Secretary

Ray Ellis
Assistant Secretary

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Bob Gibson
Assistant Secretary

Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

[k979aaa]

Thank's "lovejoy" as this is the first news we have had for age's on many of these most important subject's and although the news is not good it at least lets us all know the situation is grave and worrying for all of us!. READ YOUR LETTER WHICH YOU RECEIVE AND THINK HOW DOES THIS AFFECT ME AND MY FELLOW WORKER'S!.

[wolfie citizen smith]

this is positive thinking by the union. however phase 3 of the pay and modernisation plan which was voted in can't be put on holt forever as this would seem to royal mail that the union are a complete bunch of messers that can't be trusted. centralising bigger and better mail centres through the uk is a good thing and as long as union members get a positive deal, this would be a good thing too! no?

[bogstandard]

lets assume RM are sucessful in stringing dave along for another week seeing as they've gotten a week out of them, lets also assume that the ballot unfortunately goes ahead but on the up side its a BIG yes vote, as the business has sucessfully gotten another week out of the union without even asking which will probably equate to 10 days, what would be the earliest date possible for those concerned to take IA in your opinion.

My thinking is somewhere around the 10th of december, but how much of an impact would this have given that at this time of year the business employs a significant amount of casuals and could easily over guestimate their requirement ?
Would the odd day here and there have the desired impact ?
HQ speaks of public support, but they're not out there pounding the streets and don't come into contact with them and probably haven't for a over a decade, couldn't the remainder of us who actually do need the afore mentioned public support just deny any knowledge of IA when asked ?

[wolfie citizen smith]

I believe royal mail will use or have used the current finanical climit to safe guard there position on the closure of mail centres, i believe using this holds the union in a very tricky position, because losing contracts due to strike at this time of year will see the end of royal mail and the cwu as we know it.
Govenment will not stand for it and the public will not stand for it.
Letting members have the chance to relocate to these new mail centers does not mean they are losing there jobs. EVR's are a common practise at the moment as I have seen more EVR's in our workplace more than I ever have since SDD.
However my only concern is as I believe the current trend from management to sack anyone they feel they can with whatever means posible is unexceptable behaviour, this causes stress to some employees who are not informed of there rights within the business. I believe royal mail know who these people are and exploit this to the highest level of area management and focuses unit/area reps attention away from dealing with these members who are being treated unfairly by concentrating soley on phase 3.
I believe let the old mail centres close, centralise the uk with new and modern mail centres, give EVR to those who want it, with the best possible package for all there loyalty to the business over the years and bring the name Royal Mail back to all businesses in the uk and state our claim back as the leading courier business in Great Britan.
I believe do not strike over the closures of mail centres, modernisation is what was voted in so lets go with flow.

[bogstandard]

Royal Mail’s Modernisation Plans / Industrial Action Ballot

The purpose of this LtB is to advise branches of some recent decisions taken by the Postal Executive.

At a meeting on the 15th October the Postal Executive unanimously agreed to ballot for industrial action all Mail Centres known to be immediately affected by the company’s Mail Centre closure plan. This decision and notice of the ballot timetable was communicated to the branches directly involved. The decision was also communicated to Royal Mail in a meeting with the Managing Director.

In the full knowledge that any publicity around such a widespread ballot would potentially lead to a loss of contracts we decided to give Royal Mail a further opportunity to respond to our demands for proper negotiations by not publicising the ballot timetable.

During this period meetings have taken place with the affected branches in order to ensure that local campaigns were up and running including sending direct letters to the individual members concerned.

These developments led to further letters from Mark Higson, the Managing Director of Royal Mail and Dale Haddon, HR Director of Royal Mail Letters. The substance of these letters explained that Royal Mail wanted to work with the Union and offered an initial meeting today at 15:00 with a further two-day session to be diarised as soon as possible.

In light of these offers from the company the Postal Executive have met today and unanimously agreed to delay serving notice on the ballot by a further week. We have also unanimously agreed that, taking account of the potential loss of business contracts and to enable a final opportunity for constructive talks with the company, we will not publicise the ballot timetable until notice is served.

However, we can advise you that a letter has been sent to members’ home addresses which is due to arrive from tomorrow giving members an update on the Government review, pensions and Royal Mail’s modernisation plans. This explains that we have agreed to ballot a number of Mail Centres.

A meeting has already been arranged for Wednesday, 5th November, for the branches directly affected by the Industrial Action ballot and they have been notified prior to this LtB of the latest developments.


Further LtB’s and individual member’s letters covering all the issues in our campaign will be sent out in due course.

Regards,


Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)

Martin Collins
Assistant Secretary

Ray Ellis
Assistant Secretary

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

Bob Gibson
Assistant Secretary

Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary

i would be grateful if you could direct me to this ltb on the CWU site because as of today 05/11/2008 @ 11:30 hours when i go on the site nothing has been posted there in the postal section since 22nd october and the 10 previous ltbs are from andy Fury concerning POL and Ray Ellis regarding the conduct code and ROMEC issues. Dave Wards name does appear although this is dated 15/10/2008 and is in connection with the ROMEC dispute. in the all ltbs section, nothing even in a vaugely similar vein appears to the title Royal mails modernisation plans/ idustrial action ballot. So i can print it off and display at work

[wolfie citizen smith]

I believe its all hush hush at the moment buddy

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Perhaps this is a good ploy by the Union - Ballot till 29 Nov 08 - Declare result 30 Nov 1 Dec - Latest strike date possible is therefore 27 Dec 08 - issue strike notice at same time as a public notice indicating that as we serve the public we will not start strikes that may affect pre Christmas deliveries.

If this is their plan will they be that bothered if we have 100% of DOs go on a sympathetic wildcat on 27 Dec 08.

[k979aaa]

Perhaps this is a good ploy by the Union - Ballot till 29 Nov 08 - Declare result 30 Nov 1 Dec - Latest strike date possible is therefore 27 Dec 08 - issue strike notice at same time as a public notice indicating that as we serve the public we will not start strikes that may affect pre Christmas deliveries.

If this is their plan will they be that bothered if we have 100% of DOs go on a sympathetic wildcat on 27 Dec 08.

Why not make if four day's like old time's i am sure we could all do with the rest after christmas!.

[wolfie citizen smith]

Perhaps this is a good ploy by the Union - Ballot till 29 Nov 08 - Declare result 30 Nov 1 Dec - Latest strike date possible is therefore 27 Dec 08 - issue strike notice at same time as a public notice indicating that as we serve the public we will not start strikes that may affect pre Christmas deliveries.

If this is their plan will they be that bothered if we have 100% of DOs go on a sympathetic wildcat on 27 Dec 08.

why do you think the union want to upset the apple cart on something thats happening anyway...........modernisation....modernisation....modernisation..this was voted in, how many more times..if you want to strike do it for a good reason like fellow colleauges mistreament by management. i.e one member susspended for something and instead of just all getting on with your work within yor unit saying "oh I think thats really unfair joe bloggs getting susspended for that" blow the wistle everybody out, remember them days...solidarity within the unit thats were it starts




this is my view and is not intended to discriminate in anyway

[madelin4]

Perhaps this is a good ploy by the Union - Ballot till 29 Nov 08 - Declare result 30 Nov 1 Dec - Latest strike date possible is therefore 27 Dec 08 - issue strike notice at same time as a public notice indicating that as we serve the public we will not start strikes that may affect pre Christmas deliveries.

If this is their plan will they be that bothered if we have 100% of DOs go on a sympathetic wildcat on 27 Dec 08.

why do you think the union want to upset the apple cart on something thats happening anyway...........modernisation....modernisation....modernisation..this was voted in, how many more times..if you want to strike do it for a good reason like fellow colleauges mistreament by management. i.e one member susspended for something and instead of just all getting on with your work within yor unit saying "oh I think thats really unfair joe bloggs getting susspended for that" blow the wistle everybody out, remember them days...solidarity within the unit thats were it starts Agree with you wolfie, people are just afraid of doing what they know they should!! Afraid of bully boys or losing ones job!!




this is my view and is not intended to discriminate in anyway

[BELIAL]

I'm getting visions of Cantwipe doggy thing

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Perhaps this is a good ploy by the Union - Ballot till 29 Nov 08 - Declare result 30 Nov 1 Dec - Latest strike date possible is therefore 27 Dec 08 - issue strike notice at same time as a public notice indicating that as we serve the public we will not start strikes that may affect pre Christmas deliveries.

If this is their plan will they be that bothered if we have 100% of DOs go on a sympathetic wildcat on 27 Dec 08.

why do you think the union want to upset the apple cart on something thats happening anyway...........modernisation....modernisation....modernisation..this was voted in, how many more times..if you want to strike do it for a good reason like fellow colleauges mistreament by management. i.e one member susspended for something and instead of just all getting on with your work within yor unit saying "oh I think thats really unfair joe bloggs getting susspended for that" blow the wistle everybody out, remember them days...solidarity within the unit thats were it starts




this is my view and is not intended to discriminate in anyway

If the closures were based purely on Modernisation I may concede your point though not agree with it. However the agreement that was agreed to also says:

5. PHASE 4

To assist development of a fourth Phase of Royal Mail modernisation, consultation and negotiation will now take place in the following working groups. The intention is for these joint working groups to develop national agreements, where appropriate, by no later than the end of April 2008, to be deployed as soon as possible thereafter.

Joint Working Group 1 – Relationships. will consider how to improve industrial relations within Royal Mail, including arrangements for negotiation, consultation and decision-making, the management of change, personnel procedures and practices covering issues like attendance, conduct and performance management.

Joint Working Group 2 – New Reward Framework will examine pay simplification possibilities (within the existing pay bill), a new pay and reward package, different pay models, reviewing on what the local element of the ColleagueShare dividend for years 2 and 3 will be based and MTSF. The Group will also consider how to implement monthly pay. It will also review annualised hours or banked hours, flexible working, and possible changes to attendance patterns that could both benefit the business and employees and is in line with the company’s family-friendly policy. The group will decide whether it needs to operate sub groups for any element of this.

Joint Working Group 3 – Future working. This group will look at the business’ future mail centre / delivery / network strategies and have an opportunity to input to them.. It will develop proposals on how the business will best capture the benefits of new technology, whilst continuing to consider the implications for job security, and job design and the new delivery model. It will also look at the strategies needed to grow and develop the business in a changing, competitive environment

So as they are refusing to negotiate over MC closures or even inform the Union of their overall plans and strategies for the future network they have abrogated their side of the agreement and this therefore in my opinion means we have to make a stand. They keep insisting we have agreed to such and such as part of the agreement, yet they are not upholding their side.

As to your other points of protecting and standing up for individuals rights. I applaud ( ) and fully support you there.

[wolfie citizen smith]

Perhaps this is a good ploy by the Union - Ballot till 29 Nov 08 - Declare result 30 Nov 1 Dec - Latest strike date possible is therefore 27 Dec 08 - issue strike notice at same time as a public notice indicating that as we serve the public we will not start strikes that may affect pre Christmas deliveries.

If this is their plan will they be that bothered if we have 100% of DOs go on a sympathetic wildcat on 27 Dec 08.

why do you think the union want to upset the apple cart on something thats happening anyway...........modernisation....modernisation....modernisation..this was voted in, how many more times..if you want to strike do it for a good reason like fellow colleauges mistreament by management. i.e one member susspended for something and instead of just all getting on with your work within yor unit saying "oh I think thats really unfair joe bloggs getting susspended for that" blow the wistle everybody out, remember them days...solidarity within the unit thats were it starts




this is my view and is not intended to discriminate in anyway

If the closures were based purely on Modernisation I may concede your point though not agree with it. However the agreement that was agreed to also says:

5. PHASE 4

To assist development of a fourth Phase of Royal Mail modernisation, consultation and negotiation will now take place in the following working groups. The intention is for these joint working groups to develop national agreements, where appropriate, by no later than the end of April 2008, to be deployed as soon as possible thereafter.

Joint Working Group 1 – Relationships. will consider how to improve industrial relations within Royal Mail, including arrangements for negotiation, consultation and decision-making, the management of change, personnel procedures and practices covering issues like attendance, conduct and performance management.

Joint Working Group 2 – New Reward Framework will examine pay simplification possibilities (within the existing pay bill), a new pay and reward package, different pay models, reviewing on what the local element of the ColleagueShare dividend for years 2 and 3 will be based and MTSF. The Group will also consider how to implement monthly pay. It will also review annualised hours or banked hours, flexible working, and possible changes to attendance patterns that could both benefit the business and employees and is in line with the company’s family-friendly policy. The group will decide whether it needs to operate sub groups for any element of this.

Joint Working Group 3 – Future working. This group will look at the business’ future mail centre / delivery / network strategies and have an opportunity to input to them.. It will develop proposals on how the business will best capture the benefits of new technology, whilst continuing to consider the implications for job security, and job design and the new delivery model. It will also look at the strategies needed to grow and develop the business in a changing, competitive environment

So as they are refusing to negotiate over MC closures or even inform the Union of their overall plans and strategies for the future network they have abrogated their side of the agreement and this therefore in my opinion means we have to make a stand. They keep insisting we have agreed to such and such as part of the agreement, yet they are not upholding their side.

As to your other points of protecting and standing up for individuals rights. I applaud ( ) and fully support you there.

What I mean by upsetting the apple cart is that the union are fully aware that royal mail are at present "scoping" which covers as I believe Joint Working Group 3
As for standing together regarding colleauges being sacked I believe Joint Working Group 1 covers this, however there is always room for the odd strike here as I believe management will/do not take this part of the agreement as serious as us.

Thank you TBT for your views, most welcome

[dvbuk55]

Whatever - it all sounds soooooo familiar - get the KY in.