'Why I refused to go on strike' - POSTMAN KEN GIBSON

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-storie ... -21776386/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As I approached the picket line I could see the burning brazier and 20 of my work colleagues at the entrance to our delivery office. They stood aside to let me through. I had expected my way to be barred, I had expected to be insulted. I should have given my fellow workers more credit.

I spoke briefly to one of the pickets, an ex-union rep. He asked if I'd support the strike but I said I felt badly let down by a union that had not negotiated a settlement.

Once inside I saw that only a handful had chosen to come in, despite the fact that many more had serious reservations about what the union were asking us to do.

I have been a postman for nearly five years and it annoys me when I regularly hear senior Royal Mail representatives banging on about how mail volumes are falling by 10% per year, suggesting a decline over a long period of time. Mail volumes may have dropped by 10% in the past year but these figures would be hard to validate as nobody actually counts every item of post.

My own experience and that of my colleagues is that we are indisputably working harder and delivering more mail than ever. The sad reality is that because of a European directive our extra workload does not show itself as greater profit.

As I went out on my round in Twickenham, Middlesex, I was apprehensive. I kept waiting for someone to shout out "scab" but it never happened. And I had the following exchange as I pulled up beside two guys in a van.

"Not on strike then, mate?"

"No. I don't think we should be striking at all, it will only make things worse."

"Just get your mates to keep it up. We've never had it so good."

It was, of course, a DHL courier van.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Anyone - I repeat anyone posting an abusive message in this thread will get a warning or Ban depending on severity. Debate like adults please rather than petulant children.

[mucker]

a sob story if ever i heard one :cfo :mfo

[clashcityrocker]

If only a handful turned up how did they sort enough mail to justify going out on delivery?We had 4 strikebreakers, they covered the callers office and put out next weeks D2Ds.Not one went out on delivery.
nd if a DHL driver spoke to him it would have been to ask directions.
Poor journalism.Very poor journalism.

[beanmuncha]

Hi you posted this at 3.00pm today 27.10.09 but i read it at 2.40pm how? do you live in another time zone ha ha! You nearly gave me an attack i have to go out at 3

[william]

Well what can be said, there but go for the grace of god go I, but when my parents brought me up they taught me to have respect for myself and others and if I see an unjust thing being done, to stand up and do something about it, not to bleat like a sheep, that is after all how Hitler got in not enough people standing by there moral compass he says royal mail is twisting the facts about mail volume we all know that so what does he do goes into work and lets others fight his fight for what is right

[Yahoorsur]

'Why I refused to go on strike' - POSTMAN KEN GIBSON

How about putting the blame where it belongs eh ken,right at the door of RM,they have trashed our terms and conditions not the union,but hey as long as you think your right,you go in and do Rm's dirty work at undermining the union,you sir are a damm disgrace,you mump and moan about increasing workload but dont want to help the situation by supporting your workmates ,hypocrite is the word I would use about you.

[Post Off]

As I approached the picket line I could see the burning brazier and 20 of my work colleagues at the entrance to our delivery office. They stood aside to let me through. I had expected my way to be barred, I had expected to be insulted. I should have given my fellow workers more credit.

Well, I'm very happy for you, and especially the way in which your colleagues conducted themselves towards you. How very civilised, and right, for that matter.

Still, I can't help feeling a little sickened that while it is right to be (and be seen as) civilised there are things going on behind some Royal Mail closed doors that could never be viewed as being civilised, like changing our working conditions on the fly (when it suits), or making us do things which, if understood on the outside, would seem wholly unjustifiable.

[spilie]

[opgpat]

The major flaw with this article - which I think is fake but there you go that's me - is it doesn't live up to it's title!!!

WHY did he not go on strike???? I was waiting for the answer to that as it appears the whole reason for the piece!!!

I read it twice and all he mentions is he is 'dissapointed' with the union for not negotiating a settlement!

mmm is that a reason for not going on strike then? Because the union haven't reached an agreement to prevent strikes?!?!?!!

So basically he will NEVER go on strike because if he had to it would mean the union hadn't reached an agreement which would have prevented strikes. mmm I am confused.

Sounds like the ULTIMATE defeatest attitude!!!

[G O Root]

The major flaw with this article - which I think is fake but there you go that's me - is it doesn't live up to it's title!!!

WHY did he not go on strike???? I was waiting for the answer to that as it appears the whole reason for the piece!!!

I read it twice and all he mentions is he is 'dissapointed' with the union for not negotiating a settlement!

mmm is that a reason for not going on strike then? Because the union haven't reached an agreement to prevent strikes?!?!?!!

So basically he will NEVER go on strike because if he had to it would mean the union hadn't reached an agreement which would have prevented strikes. mmm I am confused.

Sounds like the ULTIMATE defeatest attitude!!!

I agree. He just seems to contradict himself, saying he's annoyed by senior managers claims, but it's all the unions fault

[goinpostal]

After Royal Mail's refusal to negotiate, and the leaked document proving a government and management stitch up of our union, i find it hard to believe that anyone could blame the union. Of course some people just cant see the truth but with that many on strike at their workplace you would think they would look harder for it. Sorry but people have the right to an opinion and i think it stinks.

[BELIAL]

Very strange article, turns into a blackleg because of disappointment . A collaborator through and through. Strikebreaking is not some passive activity free from consequences . This person has taken an active decision to collaborate with management in order to slash his colleagues pay and conditions. To make things worse he then publicly boasts about the effort he is putting in to drive down our pay and cut jobs, all in defiance of a democratic vote

[Pinky 1]

Awe .....come on !
This is just a ficticious piece of journalism from a paper that wants a topical story. It's just meant for the masses.
If you work for Royal Mail then you know that the story just doesn't add up, whichever side of the picket line you're on.

"As I approached the picket line I could see the burning brazier and 20 of my work colleagues at the entrance to our delivery office. They stood aside to let me through. I had expected my way to be barred, I had expected to be insulted. I should have given my fellow workers more credit."

Let me tell you now, if you'd approached our picket line we wouldn't have layed down without giving you a few home truths first.

"Once inside I saw that only a handful had chosen to come in, despite the fact that many more had serious reservations about what the union were asking us to do."

You're telling me they sorted enough mail for you to go out on delivery ? Never mind these new super duper sorting machines, just send all the mails to your office. You and your co-strike breakers are fantastic sorters. All you've got to do now is tell us where you are !

There's no mention of any office, district or area where "Ken Gibson" works.
This is just an article concocted by a news office junior to appease his manager ...... Enid Blyton would be ashamed

[piranha]

It does mention the office, Twickenham, which is close to my office. The support for the strikes in this part of west london has been very hit and miss, some offices all out, some all in, and some like Twickenham, I find it hard to believe that so few staff got all the IPS done and actuallly got out on delivery though.