CWU will ask members to back split from Labour over RM

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/p ... 361526.ece

Labour faces losing a big union backer as the rebellion against Lord Mandelson’s plans to sell part of the Royal Mail gathers force.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) will ask its 250,000 members to approve a formal split from the party if the Business Secretary presses ahead, The Times has learnt. A ministerial aide resigned in protest yesterday, delivering a warning to Gordon Brown that he faces a serious revolt over the issue.

Jim McGovern quit as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Pat McFadden, the Post Office Minister, after the publication on Tuesday of a report recommending an injection of private capital. The MP for Dundee West said that he could not support “what looks to me like partial privatisation of the Royal Mail. Pat McFadden said he welcomed an expression of interest from the Dutch postal company TNT. For me, it simply beggars belief that we would employ the services of a company from abroad to tell the Royal Mail where it is going wrong.”

Lord Mandelson insists that allowing a minority holding does not breach Labour’s manifesto obligation not to privatise the postal service. He will seek to reassure backbenchers at a meeting today.

Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary and a former general secretary of the CWU, dismissed suggestions that he opposed a partnership between Royal Mail and TNT. He is understood to have spoken in favour of the plans in Cabinet on Tuesday, insisting that they represented the postal service’s only hope of survival.

Declining volumes of mail and a rocketing pensions deficit have made some sort of private partnership vital, ministers believe. They promise full consultation over the sell-off — postponing a Commons clash until well into next year.

Lord Mandelson faces a more immediate threat from the CWU, however, since the union is committed to a ballot on splitting from Labour in the event of any attempt at privatisation. Its annual conference this year passed a resolution saying that the union “reaffirms its opposition to privatisation in any form. This includes outright privatisation, joint ventures, splitting the business and allowing private companies to take over parts of it or infusions of private capital”.

A Labour MP close the union said yesterday that it was likely to call a special conference and hold the ballot unless Lord Mandelson backed down.

The loss of the CWU — which has given Labour more than £5 million since 2001 and £500,000 over the past 12 months — would be a blow and might trigger supportive action from other unions.

A move to disaffiliate would mark the third split between Labour and the unions since 1997. But opposition from the CWU is potentially far more damaging than the previous splits by smaller unions because the CWU represents workers across a number of large industries. In 2004 the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union was expelled by Labour for backing the Scottish Socialist Party. Later that year the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) voted for disaffiliation after the long and bitter firefighters’ strike of 2003. Although the RMT and the FBU are industrially powerful, their membership is a fraction of the CWU’s.

Royal Mail workers are already taking action from tomorrow over plans to close sorting centres. Workers in Crewe, Coventry, Bolton, Stockport and Oxford will stage a 24-hour walkout. A strike in Liverpool was called off after an injunction was served.

Brendan Barber, the TUC General-Secretary, said: “The Government says that any joint venture doesn’t represent a watering-down of that commitment, but these proposals will raise fears that they are a step on the way to full privatisation. While moves to underwrite the pension deficit and a commitment to long-overdue modernisation are very welcome, privatisation cannot be an option.”

[Big Daz]

Bring it on, time to end our link with Labour once and for all, weve given it our best shot been patioent and understanding and yet they still betray us.

Vote to end the link comrades!!!!!

[kingtubby]

Bring it on, time to end our link with Labour once and for all, weve given it our best shot been patioent and understanding and yet they still betray us.

Vote to end the link comrades!!!!!

+1 and about time too!

[Yahoorsur]

Bring it on, time to end our link with Labour once and for all, weve given it our best shot been patioent and understanding and yet they still betray us.

Vote to end the link comrades!!!!!

Yup,i'm former party member of 23 years standing,held various branch positions,was fortunate enough to be elected as a Labour councilor for my local area,leafted for the party over the elections of 83,87,92 and 97,canvassed hundreds of voters face to face,did all that and more,and I can tell you this,it will be a long long time before I vote for that grotesque parody of a political party,and then Gordon Brown and Co. better get down on their knees and kiss my ass before I would even consider marking my cross next to their name,it's time to have a grassroots alternative,based on the unions,to New Liebour.
The decision has made me even more angry as time has passed.

[Sandyman]

My support for the current Labour party died last Summer. It is now beyond any resurrection.

Alan Johnson, the Health Secretary and a former general secretary of the CWU, dismissed suggestions that he opposed a partnership between Royal Mail and TNT. He is understood to have spoken in favour of the plans in Cabinet on Tuesday, insisting that they represented the postal service’s only hope of survival.

My thoughts on our ex-leader are not permissable on this forum.

[DGP1]

It should be done and done NOW no waiting around for AGMs or giving them a last chance.

[prowler]

It should have been done a year ago, but better late than never. I just hope other unions see the light and do the same. Thats the only way we'll get some leverage on this government, otherwise I see this part privatisation going through.
BTW, did anybody see that arrogant twat Heseltine on the Daily Politics show? He was adamant this was only the first stage of full privatisation. Sour grapes or what?

[kingtubby]

BTW, did anybody see that arrogant twat Heseltine on the Daily Politics show? He was adamant this was only the first stage of full privatisation.

As much as it pains me to agree with that slimeball, he's probably right.

[k979aaa]

It should have been done a year ago, but better late than never. I just hope other unions see the light and do the same. Thats the only way we'll get some leverage on this government, otherwise I see this part privatisation going through.
BTW, did anybody see that arrogant twat Heseltine on the Daily Politics show? He was adamant this was only the first stage of full privatisation. Sour grapes or what?

Maybe he was being honest for a Tory and even the Tory party has not done unto us as NEW LABOUR is going too!. And we did not pay the Tory party nor it's mp's it just goes to show how out of touch NEW LABOUR are now NEW LABOUR = NEW RIP OFF!. In fact i think they could be done on the trading standards act for not doing what it Say's on the tin!.

[DGP1]

BTW, did anybody see that arrogant twat Heseltine on the Daily Politics show? He was adamant this was only the first stage of full privatisation.

As much as it pains me to agree with that slimeball, he's probably right.

In the long run, RM will be sold off to whatever company will pay the most but after a few years of asset stripping and total disregard for any of the targets (or the USO) it'll be brought back into government hands (RailTrack anyone or Land Rover or Jaguar or any of those privatised industries that are now going to the government, cap in hand looking for money otherwise they're going to lay off some people).

Now my blood pressure is up again

[Geordie]

Whilst I understand all the sentiments and anger, I'm gonna make my decision if and when the joint venture goes through parliament.

We have a chance, albeit a small one, to convince grassroots MP's that a joint venture is not in the best interests of the country or membership.

While we have that chance, we owe it to the membership of the CWU to try EVERY avenue open to us to stop the privatisation.

If we fail, then I'll be shouting as loud as everyone else for pulling the plug.

[dvbuk55]

Whilst I understand all the sentiments and anger, I'm gonna make my decision if and when the joint venture goes through parliament.

We have a chance, albeit a small one, to convince grassroots MP's that a joint venture is not in the best interests of the country or membership.

While we have that chance, we owe it to the membership of the CWU to try EVERY avenue open to us to stop the privatisation.

If we fail, then I'll be shouting as loud as everyone else for pulling the plug.

I would come home from cloud cuckoo land if I were you. As a Labour Government they shouldn't even be considering privatisation. When you financially support an organisation that consistently takes a path against the wishes of the membership and the leadership have such strong political ties for whatever reason then there must be a conflict of interest. The grass roots MPs aren't going to save the situation because there will be a majority vote from Tories and Lib Dems.

[Night Tonic]

A lot of people assumed 'new' labour meant fewer mistakes. What we go was ALL mistakes.

[baldrick]

We're being sold to the highest bidder by an unelected Business Secretary without an electoral mandate.
They can f@ck themselves. No more of our money should be going to these tory b@strds. :mfo

[Captain Scarlet]

Has anyone asked the question about the pension reform that Big Al and Co stuck on us recently???
If the Gov. take over the pension deficit then is there or was there any need to change the pension at all???
Can we go back on this? Can we get a shorter working week out of this? So many questions may need to be asked so when will HQ start? :mfo