LTB:POL Crown Office & Supply Chain Disputes

[POSTMAN]

We would like to thank members for their overwhelming support for industrial action that took place on 29th/30th June and 2nd July.

Initial reports received indicate an unprecedented majority of members supported the strikes. Despite POL's propaganda to the contrary we are able to report that;

Cash deliveries and collections were severely disrupted throughout the POL network on 29th June as over 95% of members took action.
Support from Cash Centre members was solid.
24 and 21 Crown Offices were forced to close on the 29th June and 2nd July respectively despite POL claiming in advance that none would be shut.
A large number of Crown Offices that remained open were rendered virtually un-operational as managers were unable to complete ordinary transactions or provide even the most basic services to the public.
The vast majority of offices that POL managed to open were only able to offer a very limited service and in many areas queues stretched into the street.
Work at POL Head Quarters must have been severely disrupted as significant numbers of managers were flown and bussed across the country at great expense in an attempt to create a façade of normality.
The use of managers to keep Crown Offices open, which was specifically designed to try and demoralise our members, was only delivered at substantial cost; money that could have been used to resolve this dispute.

We pledged during the ballot that our objective was to cause maximum disruption to POL at minimum cost to members. By organising two 'half day' strikes we were able to abide by this pledge causing two days of significant disruption and aggravation for POL.

There can be no doubt that POL went to exceptionally costly and extreme lengths to try and undermine support for the strikes. Despite their best attempts to do this and paint an alternative picture to the above our members have demonstrated their unity and resolve in both POL Supply Chain and Crown Offices.

The Crown Office dispute received widespread and sympathetic media coverage, particularly on Monday 2nd July. This included interviews on national and local radio, BBC News 24, Channel 4 as well as prominent articles in the national and regional press.

With regard to next steps we will be writing to Alan Cook urging him to return to the negotiating table with an improved offer so that we may avoid further industrial action.

The Union's Postal Executive will meet on Thursday 5th July to consider next steps and thereafter we will write to individual members.

Finally, we would like you to pass on our thanks to the members in your Branch for continuing to support their Union and our vision for better pay for all and job security.