Future of the Royal Mail Group - National Ballot

[TrueBlueTerrier]

hot of the presses and with thanks to Bob McGuires facebook group http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=m...id=92434260959" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS


Dear Colleague,

Future of the Royal Mail Group

On the 23rd July the Union’s national leadership met to consider how we move our conference policies forward in light of the dire industrial relations environment, recent meetings with the Royal Mail and the Government’s decision to shelve part-privatisation – but walk away from pensions and regulation.

There is no doubt that the success of our “Keep the Post Public” campaign means the Government remain vulnerable. However, we must also recognise that if the Government, as they have stated, take no action on pensions or competition – whilst giving the same management team that they have severely criticised the green light to do whatever they want – then all CWU members will face increased attacks on their jobs, pensions, pay and conditions.

In recent meetings with Royal Mail the company now say they do accept that Phase 4 of the Pay and Modernisation Agreement requires further national negotiations and agreements with the Union. It is the collective view of the Union’s senior national negotiators that this is just another PR exercise and that the company has no real intention of reaching agreements and every intention of continuing to impose change by diktat, bullying and intimidation of the workforce. They have categorically stated that it is solely for them to determine the future work rates of all CWU members. Furthermore, they are refusing to give the Union any guarantees over job security, are offering CWU members no benefits in return for change and have made it clear that a further attack on pensions is inevitable.

In these circumstances the Union has no alternative other than to move to a national industrial action ballot. The Postal Executive yesterday agreed that a timetable for the national industrial action ballot will be issued when we meet on the 4th August. During this time the Union will be working on a number of logistical issues related to the ballot process.

In the meantime the Postal Executive have also agreed that industrial action relating to existing ballots will continue to be authorised but be co-ordinated to ensure that our members can respond to managerial executive action in a way that increases the pressure on the company.

The Postal Executive have also taken decisions that recognise the need for a new focus in our political campaign. We simply cannot accept the Government abrogating their responsibilities by refusing to resolve the pension crisis and important issues around competition and regulation. A key part of our future strategy will be to ensure a debate on the future of Royal Mail at Labour Party Conferences.


The Campaign Committee will meet next week to develop the strategies necessary to re-engage the Government and further details will be sent to Branches in due course.

Given the seriousness of the situation we can also advise branches that the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary (Postal) are seeking a meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive of Royal Mail.

It is crucial that Branches relay the information contained in this LTB to all CWU members as soon as possible. Further developments will be reported in due course.

Yours sincerely,

Billy Hayes Dave Ward
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (P)

Martin Collins Ray Ellis
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

Andy Furey Bob Gibson
Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary

Terry Pullinger
Assistant Secretary





WHY WE WANT A NATIONAL AGREEMENT
FOR YOU!

Following Lord Mandelson’s rant in the media, we thought we would set the record straight on what we want for you;-

• The CWU want:-Our members rewarded a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s wage.

• The CWU want: - A fair pay rise not a pay freeze!

• The CWU want:-To modernise the industry, we are not adverse to change, we are however, insisting that you have a share of the savings in your pay, through a fair productivity bonus and a shorter working week.

• The CWU want:- To enter into meaningful discussions on a new delivery model for the future, which safeguards earnings and full time jobs as well as giving part time members the opportunity to progress to full time if they want to.

• The CWU want:-To discuss and negotiate the future structure of Mail Centres across the country because of the effects it will have on pay, conditions of our members. As well as the effect, a mail centre closure will have on local communities and quality of service to customers.

• The CWU want:-To discuss the distribution network on how mail will be circulated around the country so we can ensure customers get a first class service and our member’s terms and conditions are safeguarded in the future.

• The CWU want: - A moratorium on management taking executive action in local offices so National discussions can take place on the future of the industry.

• The CWU want:-Royal Mail to Honour the spirit and intent of the Pay and Modernisation agreement and stop abusing the flexibility section of the agreement.

• The CWU want:-Royal Mail to honour Phase 4 of the Pay and Modernisation Agreement, which secures a national agreement on all of the issues above.

• The CWU want:-Meaningful negotiations on the future of our pension with the government and Royal Mail.

• Remember Royal Mail announced a profit of over £300 million this year. The Government has publicly announced that the current senior managers are not good enough to manage our industry. Say no to Slash and Burn!

Support your Union’s campaign to achieve a National Agreement. Vote Yes to Support Your Union!



10 REASONS WHY WE NEED TO BALLOT FOR INDUSTRIAL ACTION AND VOTE YES!

1. Royal Mail continues to abuse the Pay and Modernisation agreement with their flexibility and lapsing policies and the extension of the 3.5 hour national agreement on delivery spans.

2. Royal Mail have frozen our pay and refuse to give us a pay rise whilst paying managers thousands of pounds in bonuses!

3. Royal Mail refuses to enter into meaningful discussions on a new delivery model for the future.

4. Royal Mail refuses to discuss the future structure of Mail Centres across the country and are continuing to close mail centres without the agreement of the CWU.

5. Royal Mail refuses to discuss the future network of how mail will be circulated around the country with the CWU.

6. Royal Mail refuses to enter into any discussions with the CWU on a shorter working week.

7. Royal Mail refuses to enter into meaningful negotiations on the future of our pension.

8. Royal Mail refuses to enter into any discussions that will involve a National agreement with the CWU unless it is pay and conditions, in other words they want to do whatever they want!

9. Royal Mail continues to implement executive action without the agreement of the CWU members throughout the country.

10. Demand your Branch call a meeting to seek a ballot for Industrial Action to defend national Agreements. The situation is critical YOU have to support YOUR Union without YOUR support Royal Mail will introduce all of the changes above without the agreement of the CWU and without any payment what so ever to YOU Pay and Modernisation without any reward NO WAY!


Support your Union’s campaign to achieve a National Agreement. Vote Yes to Support Your Union!

[brothermagrew]

It's a YES from me.

[DGP1]

I'll certainly be voting yes to any action that could defeat RM's slash and burn tactics and to actually listen to our views on how to organise the job properly.

[Phantom]

Well its about bloody time

[dvbuk55]

Well its about bloody time

Yes - but better late than never

[rowdogg]

i definately will, but am worried our office wont ballot.....bunch of cowards in my office.

[k979aaa]

It is time one and all be counted and make the stand that must be defended by all of US!. Union's were not made for the idle nor the rich but for the poor and needy in need of a voice in times of hardship we can win through with solidarity and UNITY whilst enduring this hardship!.

[Shrek]

I think its time all the members on this site started to get opinion moving in the units. Lets try and get our and the CWU position across and not let the managers spread their unballanced claptrap that comes from way on high. All I have heard is coments like "why do you want to go on strike to save full time jobs in London". Usually saying this when talking about putting in revisions by exec action

[Wessex]

I think its time all the members on this site started to get opinion moving in the units. Lets try and get our and the CWU position across and not let the managers spread their unballanced claptrap that comes from way on high. All I have heard is coments like "why do you want to go on strike to save full time jobs in London". Usually saying this when talking about putting in revisions by exec action

Classic divide and rule tactics saying why should we go on strike to save full-time jobs in London,what we should say is we will strike to protect rights and conditions of all our lot wherever they work f/t, p/t indoors,outdoors London Wales Brum Leeds etc.

[k979aaa]

We all need a 35 hour week with out loss of pay we have earned it and that is 35 hours with the meal breaks included!. HOW CAN THIS LAME PARASITE :cfo DENY US THAT AFTER ALL HE ONLY TURNS UP TWICE A WEEK!.

[packmule]

WHOOPEEE

Just hope this time we don't get sold out and screw the Bast*ds :mfo :cfo :

[moggymoz]

I think its time all the members on this site started to get opinion moving in the units. Lets try and get our and the CWU position across and not let the managers spread their unballanced claptrap that comes from way on high. All I have heard is coments like "why do you want to go on strike to save full time jobs in London". Usually saying this when talking about putting in revisions by exec action

Classic divide and rule tactics saying why should we go on strike to save full-time jobs in London,what we should say is we will strike to protect rights and conditions of all our lot wherever they work f/t, p/t indoors,outdoors London Wales Brum Leeds etc.

Stockport D/O out on strike tomorrow... :cfo :mfo To quote a phrase from the Lion King... " IT IS TIME "

[k979aaa]

I think its time all the members on this site started to get opinion moving in the units. Lets try and get our and the CWU position across and not let the managers spread their unballanced claptrap that comes from way on high. All I have heard is coments like "why do you want to go on strike to save full time jobs in London". Usually saying this when talking about putting in revisions by exec action

Classic divide and rule tactics saying why should we go on strike to save full-time jobs in London,what we should say is we will strike to protect rights and conditions of all our lot wherever they work f/t, p/t indoors,outdoors London Wales Brum Leeds etc.

Stockport D/O out on strike tomorrow... :cfo :mfo To quote a phrase from the Lion King... " IT IS TIME "

We wish you well and all who follow in your efforts too defeat the beast's from hell :cfo & :mfo WELL DONE STOCKPORT DO!.

[patrickstar]

big fat yes from me in Dorset!!!

[stokes11eg]

Very worried about the 'fair' productivity bonus, the Unions want There has never, and will never be any way that the vast majority of offices can achieve any bonus-no matter how hard they work.Much better to have a decent Pay rise in everyones pockets. but, at least they seem to be acting now, just hope it's not too little too late.