Is the CWU a Democratic Union?

[Jack Mehoff]

There seems to be a lot of people on here that constantly complain about the seniors in the CWU, ie: Billy Hayes, Dave Ward etc....
Are they voted in or chosen? If they are voted in then maybe it's time for an election as this will give everyone a chance to view their opinions.
Can someone tell me how the CWU decides who is in charge and how the rest of the seniors jobs are filled.

[andy2007]

The problem with the very senior positions at HQ. Is that for someone to be able to put themselves forward for Election. They need to have relevant experience, or they'd be of little more use, than the current ones. And sadly. No-one's willing to stand against them yet. This has long been the problem at HQ. There are a great many excellent Reps. But unless one of the more experienced ones, are willing to give up their position, to go to HQ. We're stuck with them!

Now locally, and indeed at area level too (in my experience). The Reps are excellent. They work very hard for us, and do an excellent job of representing us. Obviously there are a few "bad apples". But you find them in any large organisation. But they're easier to replace. Because any of us could stand for a local Rep's position. But it takes time, to work your way up "to the top". I just hope that next time they're up for election. Someone stands against them, so we can have a choice.

[Jack Mehoff]

The problem with the very senior positions at HQ. Is that for someone to be able to put themselves forward for Election. They need to have relevant experience, or they'd be of little more use, than the current ones. And sadly. No-one's willing to stand against them yet. This has long been the problem at HQ. There are a great many excellent Reps. But unless one of the more experienced ones, are willing to give up their position, to go to HQ. We're stuck with them!

Now locally, and indeed at area level too (in my experience). The Reps are excellent. They work very hard for us, and do an excellent job of representing us. Obviously there are a few "bad apples". But you find them in any large organisation. But they're easier to replace. Because any of us could stand for a local Rep's position. But it takes time, to work your way up "to the top". I just hope that next time they're up for election. Someone stands against them, so we can have a choice.

Then it's up to the CWU members to put in a vote of no confidence.
Put that to a national ballot.

[andy2007]

The problem is, that there's no-one with the neccessary experience, willing to replace them, if we did that. What we need, is Reps at Area, or Divisional level, to stand against them. Then we can "do a Keggie" (get them replaced ASAP!).

In the future. It might be worth putting a time limit, on how long someone can stay at HQ level. So they don't get as out of touch with the day to day realities of being a Postie. Because IMHO, they started off well, when they first got their positions. But now, they seem to have little idea of what's really happening. And that's leading to a lot of problems with the "Grass Roots". Although, there'd still be the problem of finding willing replacements.

[Jack Mehoff]

The problem is, that there's no-one with the neccessary experience, willing to replace them, if we did that. What we need, is Reps at Area, or Divisional level, to stand against them. Then we can "do a Keggie" (get them replaced ASAP!).

In the future. It might be worth putting a time limit, on how long someone can stay at HQ level. So they don't get as out of touch with the day to day realities of being a Postie. Because IMHO, they started off well, when they first got their positions. But now, they seem to have little idea of what's really happening. And that's leading to a lot of problems with the "Grass Roots". Although, there'd still be the problem of finding willing replacements.

I know of 2 people that I would put forward...one of them is an Area Rep, and the other..........wait for it....is a Manager...but not your run of the mill manager. This manager would like nothing more than for managers and posties to be on the picket line together. This guy started as a telegram boy many moons ago and has seen all the changes brought in over the years. This manager even had a pop at passers by who slagged-off his posties when they were on the picket line back in '07 and he gave up his job as DOM because he would not implement the new style rules on his staff, so he was demoted to a menial managers position in a Mail Centre.
The staff at his old DO would have him back in a shot if they could. I know this because they have told me so.

[mailsort6]

There are a few Area Reps that would make an excellent general secretary and even good NEC and PEC members, some area reps know RM polices and employment law inside out. What I find about the CWU is that most members elect certain reps because they are popular and not based on what they know about workers rights and this is the reason we end up with excellent reps, fairly good reps and bad reps.

[andy2007]

If you can convince them to stand. Then I for one, would be grateful. We need someone else to go for those positions, so we can have a vote on it. And hopefully "do a Keggie", while there's still time.