Agreement - good news?

[neilf]

Well, good news for me as a customer I guess that the disputes have been called off!

But I'm a bit confused about something - basically, the fact that a lot of postmen and women seem quite cheesed off, to put it mildly, that this has happened.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but does the fact that some sort of agreement in principle has been reached, not mean that this is a positive step forward for you? Nobody has seen this "draft agreement" yet, so I don't understand the "sold down the river" comments - how do you know that's what has happened?

By calling off the strikes, on the proviso that talks will continue, this can only be a good thing for everyone....or have I missed the point?

As I've said before, I'm in complete support of what you are all protesting and striking over, but complaints of being "sold out" and taking unofficial action now smacks just a little bit of "throwing your toys out the pram".

Pleae, enlighten me!

[Eric]

I am afraid most of us who work for Royal Mail have no trust whatsoever in the management as I am sure you will have realised if you have read the posts on this forum. From experience we know they will lie and cheat to achieve their goals and their goal at this stage is to get Christmas out of the way before slashing jobs/hours again in the New Year. As you said, we do not know the full terms of the agreement so we are possibly reacting prematurely but it is very hard to believe that the leopard is going to change its spots.

[jim1911]

We have been here before and were sold down the river. Agreement with the TUC has no foundation.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Well, good news for me as a customer I guess that the disputes have been called off!

But I'm a bit confused about something - basically, the fact that a lot of postmen and women seem quite cheesed off, to put it mildly, that this has happened.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but does the fact that some sort of agreement in principle has been reached, not mean that this is a positive step forward for you? Nobody has seen this "draft agreement" yet, so I don't understand the "sold down the river" comments - how do you know that's what has happened?

By calling off the strikes, on the proviso that talks will continue, this can only be a good thing for everyone....or have I missed the point?

As I've said before, I'm in complete support of what you are all protesting and striking over, but complaints of being "sold out" and taking unofficial action now smacks just a little bit of "throwing your toys out the pram".

Pleae, enlighten me!

Interim agreement - This although I have yet to read it in detail, I think is a holding document, its not an agreement per se, its basically a framework for ongoing discussions with a view to coming to an agreement that will be put to CWU members in due course. It also sets out responsibilities on both sides so that the period of calm can continue. If RM are found wanting at any of the 2 week reviews then the ballot is still live and we can be called out again.

With regard to the general view of being "sold down the river" its because in June and July 2007 when we were on strike Royal Mail said OK we will make concessions and we will enter proper talks with a view to sorting out the problems, sound familiar. Well the Union then called for a "period of calm" for I think 6 to 8 weeks. Well RM despite their promises they did not make any concessions, they did not enter into any real negotiations they just reiterated their position. Eventually the CWU became exasperated and called us out again.

Most of us are worried that RM are up to the same tricks again, but I hope the CWU play hard ball if RM are at it again.

[neilf]

OK, thanks for the replies, at least my understanding is clearer - from what you've all said about 2007 and what happened, I don't blame you for being a bit sceptical!