What would you argue for during current talks

first_class_stamp · Post by **first_class_stamp** » 02 Nov 2009, 19:03

My perception of this dispute we are all involved in is one of confusion. I listen to news reports and scan the CWU website, you tube, various news groups and this website but I am still unclear as to what exactly they are discussing during the current negotiations.

I understand working conditions and pay are being discussed but I have been unable to find any detailed literature outlining exactly what is being discussed and where Roy mail and the CWU are failing to agree.

My personal views of the current situation is that Royal Mail are determined to continue to cut the workforce and put more work on deliveries without consultation or agreement. Deliveries are already overloaded and posties are bullied into completing deliveries under the threat of counselling on the grounds that their work rate is not satisfactory. When they work over their contracted hours they are “challenged” on why they are booking overtime and quite often not all overtime is paid. Posties feel intimidated into working through their breaks, coming in early and using their cars in order to complete their deliveries within a reasonable time. Royal Mail are slowly phasing out full time employment to be replaced with a part time workforce, causing full time staff to absorb IPS sorting. Part time employees (i.e. 25 hours a week) who have been employed for delivery only are prep-ing and delivering so they are actually working 35 to 40 hours a week but only being paid for 25 hours on their rotation week off.

My question to royalmailchat users is, “What would you fight for if you was a CWU representative during the current talks? “

To start the ball rolling I would argue for every duty to be timed by an independent assessor to prove to Royal Mail that we are simply expected to do too much work in the time we are allocated!

Post by **General Mannerheim** » 02 Nov 2009, 19:14

I would probably want a new swivel chair for future negotiations and a moat putting round my house,oh and a big fat woman with legs the size of a hippo to serve me pimms with Billyboy and our new friend Mandy.

Post by **osiris** » 02 Nov 2009, 19:21

Must admit people i speak to seem to want different things.

I think it will just be a case like last time and we will get what we are given, like it or lump it.

Stormproof · Post by **Stormproof** » 02 Nov 2009, 19:30

I want to go back to 2 deliveries a day, get rid of 50% of managers, re-negotiate the cost of DSA and have a full page advert on why the pension is in deficit :mfo

dados · Post by **dados** » 02 Nov 2009, 19:30

guaranteed future employment,now i can book & get O/T,i get my breaks,don't get bullied,i want RM to be straight with us,the management to be financially penalised if they go back on their words,or try & force through new "agreements"

DirtyHarry · Post by **DirtyHarry** » 02 Nov 2009, 19:43

A fair and manageable workload for all postal workers, a pay rise for helping to make the company profitable, and our pension fund deficit sorted out by this useless government.

first_class_stamp · Post by **first_class_stamp** » 02 Nov 2009, 19:55

by DirtyHarry » Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:43,pm
A fair and manageable workload for all postal workers, a pay rise for helping to make the company profitable, and our pension fund deficit sorted out by this useless government.

But how would this be implemented and enforced?

I suggest a procedure which can be initiated by a postie via his union rep.
The procedure would involve
step 1) Bringing the fact that the postie thinks the delivery is too big to the attention of the manager
step 2) Manager has to do the delivery on an average Wednesday.
step 3) If the manager cannot complete the delivery within the time allocated some work is removed

el_cartero · Post by **el_cartero** » 02 Nov 2009, 20:10

first_class_stamp wrote:
by DirtyHarry » Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:43,pm
A fair and manageable workload for all postal workers, a pay rise for helping to make the company profitable, and our pension fund deficit sorted out by this useless government.

But how would this be implemented and enforced?

I suggest a procedure which can be initiated by a postie via his union rep.
The procedure would involve
step 1) Bringing the fact that the postie thinks the delivery is too big to the attention of the manager
step 2) Manager has to do the delivery on an average Wednesday.
step 3) If the manager cannot complete the delivery within the time allocated some work is removed

Hahah id liek to see my manager try and do my walk ...

its about 90 blocks of flats .

id say its about a 4hr 15 walk.

Id like to sumhow get it walk tested

Post by **Wessex** » 02 Nov 2009, 20:13

first_class_stamp wrote:
by DirtyHarry » Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:43,pm
A fair and manageable workload for all postal workers, a pay rise for helping to make the company profitable, and our pension fund deficit sorted out by this useless government.

But how would this be implemented and enforced?

I suggest a procedure which can be initiated by a postie via his union rep.
The procedure would involve
step 1) Bringing the fact that the postie thinks the delivery is too big to the attention of the manager
step 2) Manager has to do the delivery on an average Wednesday.
step 3) If the manager cannot complete the delivery within the time allocated some work is removed

Blimey, if one of my managers had to do a delivery on an average Wednesday they wouldn't be finished until an average Thursday.

dejavu · Post by **dejavu** » 02 Nov 2009, 20:23

Got told that a manager was gonna do my round himself last week. As usual no-one turned up. When I got in this morning I got told that this is because his manager wants to do it now. This is gonna be fun.

DirtyHarry · Post by **DirtyHarry** » 02 Nov 2009, 20:43

first_class_stamp wrote:
by DirtyHarry » Mon Nov 02, 2009 8:43,pm
A fair and manageable workload for all postal workers, a pay rise for helping to make the company profitable, and our pension fund deficit sorted out by this useless government.

But how would this be implemented and enforced?

I suggest a procedure which can be initiated by a postie via his union rep.
The procedure would involve
step 1) Bringing the fact that the postie thinks the delivery is too big to the attention of the manager
step 2) Manager has to do the delivery on an average Wednesday.
step 3) If the manager cannot complete the delivery within the time allocated some work is removed

The postal worker would be able to start at 6am, and finish at 2pm, do their duty, complete their duty, with no stress, no hassle. That, to my mind at least, would mean the postal worker would have a fair and manageable workload.
Your idea of having a manager do a questionable duty, though interesting, would be a non starter. I mean, how many managers have you seen, that would be able to complete an old fashioned training walk, or a walk like the union rep would once have? I know quite a few of the London managers struggle to complete one road, never mind a whole walk!

Post by **POSTMAN** » 02 Nov 2009, 21:18

Bits in this stickie.

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =1&t=18704" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

smokerjim · Post by **smokerjim** » 02 Nov 2009, 21:30

Dirty Harry - the lineos never seem to have any bother walking from the office to the vending machines though do they? I will concede that they seem to need a sit down to recover for the following 30 mins or so though.

pedro64 · Post by **pedro64** » 02 Nov 2009, 21:44

This strike is now very serious. Mandelson wants the CWU
smashed to get his 30% part- privatisation and the Royal mail bosses
seem only to eager to oblige - hiring 30,000 casuals in October
is unheard of - Goal -Smash the CWU , Privatise it and then casualise the workforce.

The Public must support the postal workers 100% in their fight for the retention
of a universal public service.But the strikers must go out and get support /solidarity to overcome
isolation

Some ideas for CWU activists :

Some branches of the CWU have organised emergency branch meetings on
strike days at the end of picket line duties . This is a good idea that ought to be encouraged to
try and assert more rank and file control over the dispute.

The London and Bristol Divisional committees have organised regional reps meetings
for the same purpose -again its a question of agitation around rolling this out across the UK.

The way to stop the mass scabbing being planned is by mass picketing. Ok its against reg 7 of the Employment agencies regs to employ casual staff to break a strike but the CWU exec should not rely on the courts to end scabbing.

CWU speakers to go to trade union,student union and socialist meetings -people who will listen to the call for solidarity-
Encourage Benefit gigs at college/Universities-get students to pass motions supporting the postal workers
at emergency student egms , given Royal mail are targetting
hard pressed students to break the strike.

Basically get all strikers to treat the strike days like a day of work- only of a different kind. If that can be done
and activists at rank and file level can create a network that will act independently of the executive if that is needed
then the posties will win.

Yours in Solidarity
Pete

DirtyHarry · Post by **DirtyHarry** » 03 Nov 2009, 15:24

smokerjim wrote:Dirty Harry - the lineos never seem to have any bother walking from the office to the vending machines though do they? I will concede that they seem to need a sit down to recover for the following 30 mins or so though.

Very true.

ROYALMAILCHAT

What would you argue for during current talks

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