work to rule - surely

[ronpetetrevchris]

So IA is starting to get used fairly frequently again, as someone mentioned in another thread all out strike is a loser, and the one dayers last time did sweet FA.

Will someone explain to me the reluctance from the CWU to a work to rule. I know that if this was enforced in our office it would grind to a halt within hours not days. No cars, no earlies, breaks and cut offs. I know the CWU keep banging on about it, but im talking about a letter from them saying this is the action so dont do it! Its not like you would even have to have a full turn out, a relatively small group could tie a driver and his van up all day and so have an effect on the budget.

We get paid, RM wont cope - its a no brainer for me, i dont understand why not.

[BELIAL]

I think you will find that there have been quite a few communications from the union urging all members to do the job properly.
Why aren't you doing it already? if you were then just maybe ,any talk of IA would be irrelevant cos we might not be in the position that we are now thanks to all the corner cutters

[andy2007]

There is a big difference, between a work to rule, and doing the job properly. If we had a work to rule, then we would refuse all pressure overtime. I assume that S/A would be unaffected, as you're contracted to do that. But I'm not sure.

Sadly: That's the reason that we aren't using work to rules. There are a lot of people who through no fault of their own, have part time contracts, but work full time hours. It would hit them hard, while having little effect on those of us on F/T Contracts. Worst hit of all, would be the ones on 1 hour Contracts. How exactly would you expect them to pay their bills, while all this was going on?

Having said that: It might be worth seeing if there is any way that we could legally, refuse to do more than 40 hours per week. As a form of IA. That way, it would be fair for everyone. Rather than asking some people to make major sacrifices, while the rest of us were virtually unaffected.

That way, it would mean that we could withdraw our S/A (if it takes us over 40 hours). That would hit them hard, don't you think?

[BELIAL]

You can't 'work to rule' it is now illegal. It would be wise for each individual to choose not to do overtime.If the work is there it should be covered by regular hours, more full time jobs with improved pay ,pension and holidays for all affected. Got to get away from this cut price workforce culture, short term pain but you never do get something for nothing, unless you are management

[andy2007]

You can't 'work to rule' it is now illegal. It would be wise for each individual to choose not to do overtime.If the work is there it should be covered by regular hours, more full time jobs with improved pay ,pension and holidays for all affected. Got to get away from this cut price workforce culture, short term pain but you never do get something for nothing, unless you are management

The only exception IMHO, should be S/A. Because anyone who does it, should be contracted to do so. So unless it's official I/A, I don't think it would be right to break that contract. Which is why I was suggesting possibly arranging I/A, which would restrict us to 40 hours. But from what you've said, it would probably be illegal anyway.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Work to Rule with a Ballot is not illegal - The Union don't like it because as a rule its difficult for them to control, and its difficult to police. Members will say they are working as the Union want but will then do everything they do normally for an easy life. Also managers will target weak offices and non militant members to try and break an official "Work to Rule".

Any Work to rule that has not been sanctioned by a vote is illegal if workers try and force other workers to do it or put undue pressure on them, or in Royal Mail you try and recommend others do the job properly and not work Overtime etc. The way the Union get round it is to give members a list of what they are entitled to and what the rules are as laid down by the employer, it is then up to each individual to decide whether they want to follow the advice or not.

Basically its all semantics and both side know this which is why you have to tread carefully and not call "Safe Working" a "Work to rule"

[DGP1]

I never just tell people to 'Do the job properly' but if they complain to me about some aspect of the job then I tell them that all they have to do is follow RMs own rules and I then explain what they are, I'm treading a fine line with my managers at the moment so I have to be careful

[IWW Fellow Worker]

I never just tell people to 'Do the job properly' but if they complain to me about some aspect of the job then I tell them that all they have to do is follow RMs own rules and I then explain what they are, I'm treading a fine line with my managers at the moment so I have to be careful

Well said! Last Saturday, a couple of morons were doing a spot of unpaid overtime before the official start time. I walked in and one of them asked what I thought about there being no pay rise this year. I told him I wasn't happy, but as they were already working for nothing, they must be delighted with the situation.

[prowler]

I never just tell people to 'Do the job properly' but if they complain to me about some aspect of the job then I tell them that all they have to do is follow RMs own rules and I then explain what they are, I'm treading a fine line with my managers at the moment so I have to be careful

Well said! Last Saturday, a couple of morons were doing a spot of unpaid overtime before the official start time. I walked in and one of them asked what I thought about there being no pay rise this year. I told him I wasn't happy, but as they were already working for nothing, they must be delighted with the situation.

I doubt if that would penetrate their thick skulls!

[IWW Fellow Worker]

I never just tell people to 'Do the job properly' but if they complain to me about some aspect of the job then I tell them that all they have to do is follow RMs own rules and I then explain what they are, I'm treading a fine line with my managers at the moment so I have to be careful

Well said! Last Saturday, a couple of morons were doing a spot of unpaid overtime before the official start time. I walked in and one of them asked what I thought about there being no pay rise this year. I told him I wasn't happy, but as they were already working for nothing, they must be delighted with the situation.

I doubt if that would penetrate their thick skulls!

Correct! The daft sods are still at it. Still, there's a saying in the IWW: 'Fast workers die young!' and I'm hoping to be around to see them head off into eternity.

[andy2007]

I'm not sure I agree with that motto IWW Fellow Worker, you are right that people shouldn't be working for free. But why shouldn't we work fast?
So long as we don't cut corners, it's something to be proud of.

[Tman]

I'm not sure I agree with that motto IWW Fellow Worker, you are right that people shouldn't be working for free. But why shouldn't we work fast?
So long as we don't cut corners, it's something to be proud of.

Don't worry Andy, they don't really say that in the IWW, he's just making it up to prove a point.

Although some countries where the IWW alleges members, they're more likely to say "slow workers die of hunger"...

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I'm not sure I agree with that motto IWW Fellow Worker, you are right that people shouldn't be working for free. But why shouldn't we work fast?
So long as we don't cut corners, it's something to be proud of.

Don't worry Andy, they don't really say that in the IWW, he's just making it up to prove a point.

Although some countries where the IWW alleges members, they're more likely to say "slow workers die of hunger"...

One "i am feeling lucky" google search on that saying by IWW got me to this page http://www.iww.org.au/node/13" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and what was on it

comments

[Tman]

There you go, wrong again eh?

IWW has my full apology, and I recognise and accept that they actually do say that.

[andy2007]

There you go, wrong again eh?

IWW has my full apology, and I recognise and accept that they actually do say that.

Don't worry about it. We all get things wrong occasionally. Although the full quote makes a lot more sense, than the one IWW quoted.

I assume it's aimed at people who cut their breaks short, or miss them entirely. In which case, it's very good advice!

I used to do that myself, until RM started taking advantage, and cutting overtime. And worse still, Duties. Because we were getting so much Mail shifted. But then again: Most of us have done that in the past. The important thing, is to learn from those mistakes, and for those that still do, to STOP DOING IT!