Milton Keynes - Mail workers call off strike

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 11 Dec 2008, 04:44

http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/news/Mail ... 4781234.jp

Postal workers in Milton Keynes have called off a 24-hour strike due on December 19.

The Communication Workers Union nationally planned the walk-out in protest at a shake-up of the mail distribution network, but city members have decided they do not want to disrupt services on the approach to Christmas.

Union branch secretary Paul Moffat said workers had been impressed by support from the community in their fight to stop the closure of the mail depot at Dawson Road, Bletchley.

He warned that a strike was still on the cards and there could be a 24-hour stoppage early in the New Year.

bogstandard · Post by **bogstandard** » 11 Dec 2008, 08:10

i meet one of their drivers on a near daily basis and i have never met such a moaner.
only yesterday he was on the one hand saying whats the point of taking action the MC is going to close, then in the same breath questioning what his branch and committee are doing locally and finally believe it or not said "well as long as they pay me enough".

Post by **wranglered** » 11 Dec 2008, 13:11

a lot of fight and bottle from Mr then!

Post by **fmrPOSTIE** » 11 Dec 2008, 13:53

At last, postal workers have seen sense on this! If strikes do go ahead it'll only look bad on posties not Royal Mail or its managers.

Post by **wranglered** » 11 Dec 2008, 13:58

so what was the point calling a strike in the first place then?

if you vote to take action you take action, you don't put it off to avoid inconveniencing the customers....

if you cannot hurt the business there is no point in having a strike...the business will just laugh at you....as they will be doing here....

for all the fancy rallies in the run up, this cave in will be further proof to Royal Mail to do what they like....MK mail centre is now shut............

Night Tonic · Post by **Night Tonic** » 11 Dec 2008, 15:38

This battle was lost a LONG time ago. The deal was accepted. Bit of flag waving won't help now - we'll just lose money on top.

CourtneyCox · Post by **CourtneyCox** » 11 Dec 2008, 16:14

Night Tonic wrote:This battle was lost a LONG time ago. The deal was accepted. Bit of flag waving won't help now - we'll just lose money on top.

You may believe that but to be honest its a broken record from your side.

You always seem to take the "We are defeated its not worth fighting for our rights any longer" side of any discussion.

Now if you had anything new to add from that side of the argument, especially in why we should accept the changes, I would be pleased to read and discuss them with anyone, but a "we are doomed and should give up" post every time any Industrial Action is discussed is just as boring to us lefties, as apparently our "Solidarity" posts are to you.

I am looking forward to your next post discussing acceptance of some or all changes currently being imposed/discussed.

Night Tonic · Post by **Night Tonic** » 11 Dec 2008, 16:30

Broken record - ditto.

CourtneyCox · Post by **CourtneyCox** » 11 Dec 2008, 16:41

Night Tonic wrote:Broken record - ditto.

Nervously stepping out of the shadows

But at least we add to the discussion and post our comments where we think Royal Mail and the Union are getting it wrong. All you do is post something along the lines of "we are doomed" but then go no further.

You never seem to explain why you think its the best deal or why we should accept it.
You never seem to explain why you think Industrial Action is a lost cause.
You never seem to explain where in your own opinion Royal Mail or the Union are getting it wrong, or right for that matter.
You never explain why you personally believe that volumes are failing, you just pass comments about Fred (no mention of Wilma though) and his pouch.

An opposing view is always interesting to read but its a lot more interesting if it comes with substance rather than pithy one liners.

BELIAL · Post by **BELIAL** » 11 Dec 2008, 21:42

Night Tonic wrote:This battle was lost a LONG time ago. The deal was accepted. Bit of flag waving won't help now - we'll just lose money on top.

Perfect management lacky talk ,couldn't have said it better if it was scripted for you.
Not much point in worrying about losing a days pay if your jobs gone anyway

Marvin the mogadon man strikes again

Night Tonic · Post by **Night Tonic** » 12 Dec 2008, 01:30

Thats too dismissive. I don't for one MINUTE agree with these changes OR that we shouldn't show our distaste for it but I'm also realistic enough to know that a days strike or half a days strike or even staggered strikes won't stop Royal Mail from closing mail centres. If you think it will, you're deluded. The answer I'm sure will be along the lines of "Oh but you don't expect us to give up do you?" No I don't, we fight for what we think is right but in this instance I do not see RM budging an inch on 'streamlining' sorting operations that will save it numerous wheelbarrows full of money. I'm not saying the reason to put up a fight isn't valid but the monetary savings to be made will far outweigh any efforts on our part, particularly when the government supports these savings. You'd need to stop work for months to get even a squeak out of RM or the government and with every other country in Europe going through the same grinding wheel, the chances of getting RM to reconsider closures is a big fat zero. I'm not the only one on here who sees that either.

That view might piss on others enthusiam for waving banners, but if you go into battle, its a good idea to have your eyes open.

andy2007 · Post by **andy2007** » 12 Dec 2008, 07:36

Night Tonic wrote:Thats too dismissive. I don't for one MINUTE agree with these changes OR that we shouldn't show our distaste for it but I'm also realistic enough to know that a days strike or half a days strike or even staggered strikes won't stop Royal Mail from closing mail centres. If you think it will, you're deluded. The answer I'm sure will be along the lines of "Oh but you don't expect us to give up do you?" No I don't, we fight for what we think is right but in this instance I do not see RM budging an inch on 'streamlining' sorting operations that will save it numerous wheelbarrows full of money. I'm not saying the reason to put up a fight isn't valid but the monetary savings to be made will far outweigh any efforts on our part, particularly when the government supports these savings. You'd need to stop work for months to get even a squeak out of RM or the government and with every other country in Europe going through the same grinding wheel, the chances of getting RM to reconsider closures is a big fat zero. I'm not the only one on here who sees that either.

That view might piss on others enthusiam for waving banners, but if you go into battle, its a good idea to have your eyes open.

Now that's more like it! At least now, we understand your point of view. That's the problem with one-liners: It's impossible to work out where you're coming from. So it's hard to convince anyone to change their minds.

Although I think you're wrong to simply dismiss the effectiveness of Strikes. I do think that you've hit the nail on the head, when you point out, that going out, and staying out. Is far more effective, than staggered Strikes. It would hit us much harder financially. But would also have the same effect on RM.

Last year, we found out just how long RM can drag things on, if we use staggered Strikes. But hitting them hard, with a prolonged Strike. Would hopefully, get us a faster conclusion. Which would reduce the length of time, that the Public will have to put up with the disruption.

Don't forget: We may be a Business now. But we are still providing a service to the Public. So the shorter we can make such action, the better, as far as I'm concerned.

bogstandard · Post by **bogstandard** » 12 Dec 2008, 10:19

whilst the office may be doomed, the ultimate action of a striking workforce can be an indication to management that their staff will not tollerate being treated less favourably when it comes to things like VR and the MTSF.
If i was in management i would be looking to offer them less to go, reduce their terms and conditions. Their action or should i say lack of, shows that they are not willing to strike in pursuit of their own future security. i don't think this will be giving management any ideas as its probably already on the cards. By the time this is realised by them it will be too late for any action. IMO

Post by **kingtubby** » 12 Dec 2008, 12:00

It's possible that the 7-7 split in ballot results from the 14 MCs involved influenced the decision. I'm not sure but I think that Northampton voted against, hence MK may have felt they were going out on a limb...I dunno?
The 'Save our Mail Centres' thing was only serving a purpose as headline grabber and rallying cry. Everyone involved knows that it's gone beyond that and that the real issue is about RM's dishonesty over job security, terms, MTSF, etc.

Post by **wranglered** » 12 Dec 2008, 13:39

weak and ineffective leadership.....no balls to see it through...I see Oxford are still going out...