Wake up' Mandelson tells union

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8207524.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, has rejected calls to intervene in the latest postal strikes.

Union leaders have accused ministers of "sulking" because their plans to "privatise" Royal Mail had failed.

But Lord Mandelson said the Communication Workers Union should "wake up" to prevent Royal Mail's further decline.

The walkouts in England and Northern Ireland were triggered by a row over modernisation plans.

Lord Mandelson said: "Time and again in the past, the CWU has asked ministers to intervene in their disputes and their strikes to frustrate Royal Mail modernisation.

"I have instructed this will not happen. It is time for the union to wake up to the need for change to stop the Mail's further decline."

Members of the union have been staging a series of local 24-hour strikes.

They are due to continue into next week, when the union is planning to ballot its members on holding a national strike.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the CWU, Billy Hayes, said ministers "appeared to be on strike themselves".

Mr Hayes said: "There hasn't been one government minister, at any level, talking about the strikes - which have disrupted services."

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "It seems to us that some government ministers are sulking because they haven't yet managed to privatise Royal Mail.

"This is a company that they own, and they don't seem capable of saying one single word.

"Ministers appear to be on strike themselves."

In June, Lord Mandelson, announced that plans to sell off part of Royal Mail had been delayed amid opposition from many Labour backbenchers and the failure to find a suitable buyer.

Mr Hayes denied the union was trying to block changes at Royal Mail.

Modernisation shouldn't mean 'reducing services to the public', he said.

"Royal Mail is trying to bring in institutional changes without consultation," he added.

"There's going to be more strikes, we've got a situation where Royal Mail is cutting people's pay, taking people off duties without agreement."

Earlier this year, the company warned it was in a "very tight financial position" and had to cut costs.

In 2008, all four parts of Royal Mail were profitable for the first time in almost two decades.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said the strikes were having little effect.

He said: "Well over 90% of our people - and more than 90% of our operational units - will be working normally this week."

[Night Tonic]

RM won't listen, government won't listen. Oh dear.

[Phantom]

Same old s**t spilling from mandelson's arse, modernise, mail down etc. etc. - When mail is down i will be worried until then ALL OUT!

[rhino49]

I am awake to the fact that the main and only shareholder of our business "The Government" has no interest in how we are run as long as we give them money. Through the government, the public of this nation whom we serve should be able to expect a well run public service for as long as it is not privatised and should then expect to be totally ripped off when it is.

Lord Mandelson has no right to tell us or our union to wake up - we have been awake to the fact for years that our business changed direction in the early '90's when someone up there realised that by bullying and subjugating your workforce, you could make more money and that you could reduce the quality of a public utility for profit and blame the workers every time things didn't work properly.

You are the one who is asleep Lord Mandelson - and we are about to become your worst nightmare.

For once Billy, you have mounted a decent attack - don't stop there - get the truth out to the public and get them on our side - make them realise that WE,the union and the postal workers are on theirs !!!

[DirtyHarry]

Mandelson, what a cretin. :mfo Would YOU let that moron manage your whelk stall? How the feck has that gay buffoon been allowed to attain so much power?
Has there been a revolution, and now the imbeciles rule the country?

[rockytony67]

RM won't listen, government won't listen. Oh dear.

Strange to see a long serving postie and a union member to boot, taking delight in Mandelson's statement

[axeman]

Certainly not a postie and............ just maybe a member of a union we all know but not the cwu one in disguise if you get what i mean
subservient to his master thats for sure

[DGP1]

So Mandy just wants us to roll over and accept everything that RM dictate, or would it be better for everyone in the long term to talk and work out our disagreements.

[Night Tonic]

RM won't listen, government won't listen. Oh dear.

Strange to see a long serving postie and a union member to boot, taking delight in Mandelson's statement

Can't bear Mandelson but did you expect anything else? Now what, call in our mums? And I'm no longer a union member. Not alone there either.

[flaminmoses]

f**k him
if we go down
they will too

[DGP1]

f**k him
if we go down
they will too

Well if you really want too but he's not my type

[pickaname]

CWU - stop funding these alleged Gangsters right now.

[Wessex]

CWU - stop funding these alleged Gangsters right now.

[BELIAL]

CWU - stop funding these alleged Gangsters right now.

He's got a point. why line the pockets of a silver spoon ex public school spiv who swans off on holiday every year with the worlds wealthiest. I doubt very much wether Mandy's pension has been slashed ;or his pay cut
Or that he's lapsing any ministerial duties. "I have instructed" that he learns to tell the truth and stops getting freebies from multimillionaires

[Big Daz]

CWU - stop funding these alleged Gangsters right now.

But we will will support of backbench MP's we are told.

Hang on a minute, just what have we gained so far by continuing to suport labour ??


Answers on a postcard to Billy Hayes CWU GS The Broadway Wimbledon