Mandelson condemns planned strikes by Royal Mail workers

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.scotsman.com/latestnews/Man ... 5424462.jp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson today condemned planned strikes by postal workers, accusing union members of "standing in the way of progress" over Royal Mail modernisation plans.

Members of the Communication Workers Union will take three days of action in London next week over complaints that jobs, pay and services were being cut.

The strikes were publicised yesterday, shortly after Lord Mandelson announced that the Government was not going ahead with its controversial plan to part-privatise the Royal Mail.

Opposition politicians described the move as a "humiliating climbdown" by the Government.

Lord Mandelson said of the strikes: "This is exactly the head-in-the sand approach I have warned about. The Royal Mail needs to change and modernise to turn itself round and compete effectively. The union nationally agreed a way forward two years ago, but its own branches are standing in the way of progress.

"The need for modernisation in Royal Mail has not gone away. We have heard a lot from both management and the CWU that they are up for change. Now it's time to deliver it.

"We are looking for the changes to Royal Mail's operations and working practices agreed under the 2007 pay and modernisation agreement to be delivered. Endless industrial relations problems and disputes are damaging the company and their ability to compete."

Lord Mandelson's department said that in the last few months there have been postal strikes throughout London as well as in Ipswich, Edinburgh, Alloa, Grangemouth, Irvine, Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline, Broxburn and Bathgate.

In 2007 60% of days lost in the whole UK economy through industrial action were accounted for by Royal Mail, the department added.
The union said its members in London were facing arbitrary pay cuts and job losses and claimed services were being hit.

Ministers had argued that private sector money was needed to secure the future of the Royal Mail, which is facing a multi-billion pound pension deficit.

[stokes11eg]

does anybody care what Mandy says=?

[Stormproof]

FFS I'm sick of this bloke, he condemns everything and I'm getting pissed off hearing his name, :mfo says this, :mfo says that. I say :mfo f**k off :mfo :mfo :mfo :mfo :mfo

[DGP1]

I think Mandy and co really need to take a long look at why we're striking, there is NO modernisation just cost cutting (which is not working according to the OT now in my DO).

[KyzaSoze]

Tell you Mandelson, I hope your reading this lets swap jobs for a week, lets say next week as i'm out on Phrase 2 (working extra for NO-MONEY) see if you handle taking all the pish we're taking, no pay rise etc,etc and lets see if your still condemning it in 2 weeks time. Must be brilliant being a Pen-Pusher...

[Martin Walsh]

What is laughable is that Manadleson has been at the front of condemning the skills of Royal Mail Mangement incldung the famous line that we do not have the gene pool in the UK to run a succesful Postal system. Yet here he is supporting Royal Mail`s slash and burn policy for the future. You couldt make it up !!

However Mandy you should recognise that Royal Mail have lost the support of the work force and we will continue to fight for a future.

[Pinky 1]

I'm sick and tired of what this "Lord" Mandy has to say. Why can't the government put someone in his job who knows what they're talking about.
This un-elected pen pusher wants to haul is arse down to my delivery office. I'd give him a week, he can pay himself his normal inflated salary, but i bet you he doesn't come back for a second one. We have given so much already, under the pay and modernisation agreement, and what have we had in return ......ummm ..... oh, my pension has been trashed.
So Mandy, before you open your mouth again, put your brain in gear and go and talk to someone who know's what they're on about.

[k979aaa]

Thats good coming from the most corrupt politian in the NEW LABOUR govenment A party that has failed to modernise it's self the system the house of lords and it's OWN MP's AND LORDS of the nation!. STOP PONTIFICATING :mfo AND GET YOUR OWN PARTY/HOUSE'S IN ORDER FIRST!. :mfo :mfo :mfo

[Sandyman]

"In 2007 60% of days lost in the whole UK economy through industrial action were accounted for by Royal Mail, the department added."

What does that tell you Mandy? We are not a militant workforce nor a militant union.

IT'S THE MILITANTS AND EXTREMISTS IN MANAGEMENT WHO CREATE THE ENVIRONMENT WHICH LEADS TO STRIKES!!

Do you seriously expect our Union to donate to Labour next election and for us as individuals to vote Labour after your utter idiocy in words and deeds towards Royal Mail employees?

You haven't the first clue about Royal Mail, you haven't the sense to shake up the management.

Your incompetence is legendary - Geoffrey Robinson and Mr Hinduja ring any bells? And this?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tones.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

You must come from the same gene pool aS the clowns who 'manage' (???) the postal service.

Just :mfo