Binder Bansel acts for CWU in Royal Mail dispute

[Geezer]

http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/lawyer ... il-dispute

Thursday 12 November 2009 by Jonathan Rayner

Who? Binder Bansel, 41, employment partner at national firm Pattinson & Brewer.

Why is he in the news? Acts for the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in its dispute with Royal Mail over plans to modernise the postal service.

These plans, agreed in 2007, include computerised walk-sequencers to map the most efficient delivery rounds for postal workers and intelligent letter-sorting machines. The new technology will speed up the process and require fewer staff to handle the workload. The Royal Mail says modernisation is essential because the volume of letters and parcels it delivers is dropping every year, resulting in losses of £170m annually. The CWU concedes that changes are necessary, but disagrees with Royal Mail on certain key points, including the proposed number of job losses.

The CWU balloted its 121,000 postal workers and says 76% voted in favour of this autumn’s strike action. The strikes are believed to have cost the UK economy more than £1bn to date and could cost Royal Mail £40m in lost business.

The two sides have now reached an interim agreement allowing the strikes to be called off until the new year.

Route to the case: Bansel has acted for the CWU for many years.

Thoughts on the case: ‘The major issue raised by this case is to what extent an employer can lawfully use alternative staff, including agency staff, to cover for striking workers.’

Dealing with the media: ‘There was huge media interest, with much of the coverage addressing the role of public services – whether they should be maintained and, if so, how they should be funded.’

Why become a lawyer? ‘I have always had an interest in understanding and exploring relationships between people. Employment law, because it deals with individual circumstances, has a very human face.’

Career highpoint to date: ‘Achieving a result which improves people’s lives, either in the workplace or after they have had to leave.’

Career lowpoint: ‘Realising that the prospects of progressing my career as a lawyer were more promising than my prospects of playing international cricket.’

[nelson]

The two sides have now reached an interim agreement allowing the strikes to be called off until the new year.

Have they??????????

[jockstrapp]

Career highpoint to date: ‘Achieving a result which improves people’s lives, either in the workplace or after they have had to leave

Pity they could'nt improve the posties lives.