CWU Dave Ward - Voting No To Agreement Not Alternative To Ch

[mucker]

Dave Ward, deputy secretary of the Communication Workers Union, last week reminded union members of the commercial challenges faced by the Royal Mail and why he felt it was important that postal workers voted to back the new agreement - 'Business Transformation - 2010 and Beyond'.

The final document came after lengthy negotiations between Royal Mail and the CWU, and now requires final acceptance by the workforce in a ballot this month.

For the CWU, this has been a testing few months, with discussions between union officials and Royal Mail management conducted under a media blackout. Equally difficult is the fact that CWU leaders have at times been seemingly at odds with some union members over the reasons for strike action and previous disputes much harder to resolve due to a whole host of local gripes being added to the mix. However, Dave Ward sees this new agreement as the best and most sustainable deal given the difficulties faced by not just Royal Mail but the entire postal industry, and during a fragile economic recovery.

To find out more, We caught up with Mr Ward as he travels the country explaining the thinking behind the agreement to union representatives:

“None of the companies that we deal with has ever given an absolute guarantee that compulsory redundancies will never happen, but Business Transformation - 2010 and Beyond gives us a stronger commitment than we had before, one that includes a 75/25 full-time to part-time ratio going forward - with no compulsory change of status.”

“Talks were tough, certainly and at times there were strained tempers on both sides.

“But there was a genuine and sincere determination from ourselves and from the Royal Mail team that we simply had to succeed in plotting a comprehensive way forward for all of us.

“Yes it’s been a marathon set of talks, there’s no arguing with that. Our wives and partners have certainly been reminding us of that at every opportunity!

“But, as I said when the talks began, there was no way we were going to be rushed into making a quick agreement if it was not the right agreement." he said

Ward's view is that Voting against the agreement would not obviate the need for change and that supporting it would ultimately protect more jobs and establish a greater degree of union involvement in the reshaping of the Royal Mail. He also emphasised that since current payment arrangements for D2D deliveries were not guaranteed, the agreement provided a weekly D2D supplement of £20.60 a week for handling the items and which would rise over time unlike current payments:

“Making door-to-door part of normal workload means that everyone gets an equal payment for this work guaranteed 52 weeks a year, everyone gets prep time for this work and more work can come into delivery in the future, which will protect jobs and, hopefully, create new jobs.”

“Of course, the agreement hasn’t given us everything we would have wanted, but, if we look back at the checklist of issues we went on strike over last year, there’s been clear progress on every one.”

“When we held a national ballot for industrial action last year, members were asked to vote for action to win reward for change, job security, a shorter working week and for the principle of change by agreement.

“We said: ‘You’re delivering modernisation - modernisation must deliver for you.

“Members supported the union, supported each other and stuck together. And now, this agreement has delivered on each of those key objectives.” said Mr Ward.

In many respects this agreement is the nearest that the two sides have come to anything approaching a joint vision and also the most likely to set the foundation stone for a more long-term solution to the present pension deficit (said to be around £10bn). With little support from government for a no-strings pension bail-out, even with pressure from back-benchers, Ward is hopeful that this agreement, if accepted, will bring the CWU closer to matching the aspirations of the Hooper report, and whilst a strategic partner for the Royal Mail has not so far been found, a positive step forward in terms of improving industrial relations will undoubtedly give the union more bargaining power in terms of persuading government to address the pension deficit.

The apparent revelation in the press this week that the Labour Party has abandoned plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail was evident even a year ago. Labour were to my mind, rather quick to adopt the Hooper review as a blueprint for a new Postal Services Bill (something that even surprised Richard Hooper himself) and having failed to find a strategic partner (buyer) in an industry that was already pulling its horns in due to falling mail volume and a very obvious banking crisis, not unexpectedly the whole plan fell apart.

The Hooper report was certainly accurate but could not hope to keep pace with the global economic events that began to unfold and Lord Mandelson's insistence that the Bill was temporarily shelved then left the Royal Mail in financial limbo, forcing it to cut costs and for Postcomm to have to extend its responsibility for regulation. The government, with a growing backbench revolt over postal reforms, pressure from trade unions, spurious leadership challenges, a general election looming, and finally the parliamentary expences scandal, had more serious worries and had little choice but to abandon the Bill, the opportunity to bring in additional investment seemingly lost. The Conservatives made much of Mandelson's failure to see the Bill through. In the words of Eli Wallah in the film 'The Good The Bad And The Ugly' - "If you're going to shoot, shoot, don't talk".

For Ward, his own personal popularity has always mattered less than his terrier-like determination to get the job done, and whilst the agreement will see some losers in the short-term, it paves the way for a structured pay deal over the next few years, closer working ties between union and management, and minimises losses that an anticipated overhaul of D2D services would inevitably bring.

Certainly a never-ending dispute would undermine Royal Mail's ability to remain profitable, and again this has a direct bearing on the future for the pension fund itself. Whether this agreement will bear the fruit needed to deliver a sustainable working relationship remains to be seen, but without a step in that direction, the two sides are in danger of destroying the business through sheer bloody-mindedness, a subject touched upon in the Hooper report, even if tactfully expressed.

One cannot underestimate the challenge for both sides in moving from a position of being essentially at opposite poles to a more joined-up approach, but the Royal Mail, with over 350 years experience in handling and delivering mail always works at its best when it operates as one and this agreement aims to foster that ability and provide for a more optimistic view of the future in a somewhat difficult marketplace. Cynics will be quick to dismiss the concept I'm sure, but providing the agreement holds firm and both sides work together in an objective and positive manner over the next few years, the Royal Mail could begin to claw back business it lost through being seen as unreliable and establish a new product range that could inspire direct marketing companies. an area that will be crucial to Royal Mail's success over the coming years.

Job losses will be real enough as machinery replaces hand-sorting, but neither side denies the impact that a more competitive environment brings - changes that are already familiar throughout much of Europe. With or without agreement, the distribution network has to reflect a decline in stamped mail and an increase in D2D and small parcels, but a closer working relationship between both sides should ensure change goes through seamlessly and help strengthen the company in a commercial sense, something that the Royal Mail has been lacking since the introduction of liberalisation.

In summing up the deal, Ward told us:

“If anyone has any remaining doubts about whether this was the right deal for us, then let’s remind ourselves how the deal has been received in the outside world.

“The Mirror described the agreement as a ‘First class job’ for which ‘postal workers can hold their heads up high and the Sun told readers: ‘Posties pocket 7 per cent’ in a ‘staggering peace deal’,” Dave recalled, adding: “Not one national title - even those papers hostile to trade unions - said that it was a bad deal for us.

“It was a good deal for CWU members, a positive step forward for Royal Mail and, at last, the fresh start that everyone in our industry needs.

“We’ve been in talks for nearly three months solid and, believe me, there’s nothing more to come through talks.

“People should think this through carefully if they’re thinking of voting No. Where would you want the union to go? What would be your strategy in this scenario? Voting no to any agreement isn’t an alternative to change.”

© Hellmail.co.uk (13 April 2010)

[mucker]

Dave ward is clearly not in touch with the membership,if any of this letter is to be belived

[MinisterofCucumber]

The proposed agreement should be put on hold until we know who will be in the new government.

The UK public should decide on what way the EU postal directives are interpreted by the regulator.

At the moment, everyone agrees with the part of the Hooper report that says Postcomm are no good and should be replaced. A lot of EU countries, like Finland, have decided to protect their postal services from cherrypickers by insisting that competitors must provide the Universal Service Obligation. Crozier started off as a protectionist until the politicians nobbled him.

There is a clear choice for the UK public to decide on what sort of postal service it wants. Does it want a strong Royal Mail delivering services the public wants and providing decent terms and conditions for its workforce, or does it want a few spivs to cream off the profitable parts and leave us with a more expensive, less efficient postal service?

The new government will decide who the new regulator will be and the members of the regulating body will be chosen on the basis of whether they are pro-Royal mail or pro-spiv. A pro-spiv regulator is not in the interest of the people of the UK.

Royal Mail can only plan its strategy once the political direction has been sorted out. This proposed agreement wrongly assumes a pro-spiv strategy is inevitable. It must be renegotiated after a proper debate has taken place in the country on whether we want to give away our national assets to spivs.

[drb]

I think there are two factors that brought this deal about.

1) Obviously the year on year cuts on our members,who do not drive and do the job properly.Is it any wonder that they are surprised at the un-capped D2D and unlimited delivery spans?

2) Politics.The Hooper report started all this,and obviously they have held the pension issue as a stick.The agreement clearly is attempting to "tick all the boxes" in the Hooper report.
I don't buy that "the CWU got a back hander from Royal Mail". I would accept that there have been deals struck at a political level though.Not for money though.Too easy.
Was it for the pension issue? We shall see.......

[Martin Walsh]

Come on mucker which bits are not true ? Do you believe we can face away from change ?

Did we face away from two deliveries going ?

Did we face away from nights going in delivery units ?

Did we face away from mail centres closing ?

Did we face away from budget cuts ?

Did we face away from absorbtion and pay and mod

And do you really think we will face away from automation ? and a business which is spending more than its recieiving ?

Minster you really need to get with the times , this government liberalised the UK postal services 5 years ago ahead of the EU dirctive.

Great idea lets not have an agreement until we have a new government and the first thing the tories will do is put a public sector pay freeze in operation and then put the Hooper report into operation.

I am no supporter of the Labour party and moved the conference motion not to fund the party but get real waiting till the tories are elected is not a solution.

The union maynot be perfect but tell me what bit of your working life has not been improved by the union ?

Is it the fact your now on 5 day week or even working less

you have some of the best annual leave terms in the country

You have paid meal reliefs which mean that in fact you are working 35 hours per week after the shorter working week

We have shift allowances for nights , lates , driving allowances , TPM , other generation bonus , door to door payments when you compelte that within your duty time .

Pay protection , pension protection , good VR terms and no complusory redundancies.

Plus you have an election agreement which provides for a great rate of pay for deliveriing election addressess ( never used to be the case )

Plus basic pay has gone up by 50% since 2003.

Yes slag of the union and threaten to leave but when the first vote in your office takes place over what attendances and what the revision does then dont even think about giving your opinion as you will no longer be in the union.

[MinisterofCucumber]

Dingo said:

"Minster you really need to get with the times , this government liberalised the UK postal services 5 years ago ahead of the EU dirctive."

That is true but the regulator gets to decide how this liberalisation is implemented. Postcomm are continually reviewing their policies:

http://www.psc.gov.uk/policy-and-consultations.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Finland was the first EU country to completely liberalise its market yet it managed to protect its incumbent postal service:

"Despite the Finnish liberal Act, no competition has really emerged here. There has been one applied and granted licence for operations that would compete with Finland Post, but the undertaking never started to operate. There are probably many reasons for this. Firstly, the legislation sets high demands for all postal undertakings, for example in terms of the quality standard and distribution density. This raises the threshold of entering the business. Secondly, Finland's geographical conditions set their own terms: sparse population and long distances add to the costs and decrease the attractiveness of the field."

http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/eiro/stu ... 04019q.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Postcomm could make our competitors provide services to the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

[Night Tonic]

Postcomm don't get to decide how liberalisation is implemented. Its set in stone by the EU. Postcomm's job is to make sure Royal Mail complies with the Postal Services Act and that companies work within EU rules. Might help if you knew what you were talking about and Dingo has it right on the button.

[mucker]

Come on mucker which bits are not true ? Do you believe we can face away from change ?

Did we face away from two deliveries going ?

Did we face away from nights going in delivery units ?

Did we face away from mail centres closing ?

Did we face away from budget cuts ?

Did we face away from absorbtion and pay and mod

And do you really think we will face away from automation ? and a business which is spending more than its recieiving ?

Minster you really need to get with the times , this government liberalised the UK postal services 5 years ago ahead of the EU dirctive.

Great idea lets not have an agreement until we have a new government and the first thing the tories will do is put a public sector pay freeze in operation and then put the Hooper report into operation.

I am no supporter of the Labour party and moved the conference motion not to fund the party but get real waiting till the tories are elected is not a solution.

The union maynot be perfect but tell me what bit of your working life has not been improved by the union ?

Is it the fact your now on 5 day week or even working less

you have some of the best annual leave terms in the country

You have paid meal reliefs which mean that in fact you are working 35 hours per week after the shorter working week

We have shift allowances for nights , lates , driving allowances , TPM , other generation bonus , door to door payments when you compelte that within your duty time .

Pay protection , pension protection , good VR terms and no complusory redundancies.

Plus you have an election agreement which provides for a great rate of pay for deliveriing election addressess ( never used to be the case )

Plus basic pay has gone up by 50% since 2003.

Yes slag of the union and threaten to leave but when the first vote in your office takes place over what attendances and what the revision does then dont even think about giving your opinion as you will no longer be in the union.

one you forgot to mention,DID YOU FACE AWAY FROM B&H ????????????

[pickaname]

Come on mucker which bits are not true ? Do you believe we can face away from change ?

Did we face away from two deliveries going ?

Did we face away from nights going in delivery units ?

Did we face away from mail centres closing ?

Did we face away from budget cuts ?

Did we face away from absorbtion and pay and mod

And do you really think we will face away from automation ? and a business which is spending more than its recieiving ?

Minster you really need to get with the times , this government liberalised the UK postal services 5 years ago ahead of the EU dirctive.

Great idea lets not have an agreement until we have a new government and the first thing the tories will do is put a public sector pay freeze in operation and then put the Hooper report into operation.

I am no supporter of the Labour party and moved the conference motion not to fund the party but get real waiting till the tories are elected is not a solution.

The union maynot be perfect but tell me what bit of your working life has not been improved by the union ?

Is it the fact your now on 5 day week or even working less

you have some of the best annual leave terms in the country

You have paid meal reliefs which mean that in fact you are working 35 hours per week after the shorter working week

We have shift allowances for nights , lates , driving allowances , TPM , other generation bonus , door to door payments when you compelte that within your duty time .

Pay protection , pension protection , good VR terms and no complusory redundancies.

Plus you have an election agreement which provides for a great rate of pay for deliveriing election addressess ( never used to be the case )

Plus basic pay has gone up by 50% since 2003.

Yes slag of the union and threaten to leave but when the first vote in your office takes place over what attendances and what the revision does then dont even think about giving your opinion as you will no longer be in the union.

And neither will anyone else in my office judging by the apathy towards the CWU at present.

If this goes through i WILL leave and so will multitudes of others across the country. Screw worrying about voting on what attendance pattern you have...ill be more concerned about how to pay my rent and bills once the huge paycut comes in.

I think it very poignant at the moment that politicians are continually using the buzz word 'fair', yet Dave Ward talks about 'winners and losers'. An abomination if ever there was one.

I think one thing weve learnt from this agreement is no matter what, you really have no real say in anything.

[Night Tonic]

The ones that leave will be the ones RM wants rid of.

Oh, and there are no jobs around. Ooops.

[stokes11eg]

'But what bit of your working life has not been improved by the Union? My working life has been torn to shreds this past ten years by the union!

[fishtank]

Come on mucker which bits are not true ? Do you believe we can face away from change ?

Did we face away from two deliveries going ?..................No we accepted it.

Did we face away from nights going in delivery units ?........erm no.... we accepted it again.

Did we face away from mail centres closing ?...................Well,we seem to have accepted it again.

Did we face away from budget cuts ?.............................local units fought these while HQ sat on their hands.

Did we face away from absorbtion and pay and mod...........HQ negotiated absorbtion and pay and mod FFS so i guess they...accepted it.

And do you really think we will face away from automation ?...Well no i expect we will just accept it again.

[Martin Walsh]

Fishtank two deliveries going to one was agreed by the members , as most offices were no longer streaming the mail and had 6 GPs for every second delivery. Oh and in resturn the union got the largest pay rise in Royal Mail history of £26.28 and the five day week.

The union could not defend the amount of nights we had as all that was doing was introducing more part timers as automation was increasing the amount of mech.

Now on Mail Centres we always knew that some would close . No one likes that but downstream access work now by passes the outward part of the mail centre, plus dare I say a reduction in mail volumes and increases in automation and the change to one out ward pass all mean that mail centres have spare capiticity. Hence why some are earmarked for closure.

Now on budget cuts well last year people stood up to them but only in some areas , the previous year people were too busy doing geo route revisons desptie no national agreement and to get their share of 50 /50 bonus.

Pay and Mod the members accepted in a vote and absorbition is a local office issue which allows your rep to use both appendix a & b to argue that it cant be done as people are working to time. Lets be honest to many didt have the balls to argue that and then to many members rushed around and made absorbtion work in order to finish early.

This agreement the members will decide and then if you want you can leave the union and then become a free loader as nothing gets agreed unless the CWU do it be that in your office or nationally.

The CWU have survived a lot more contreverisal things then this ballot IWM and the Way Forward make this opposition look like the Queens tea party.

But hey you can contiue to slag of indivduals from the safety of the your keyboard.

[mucker]

But hey you can contiue to slag of indivduals from the safety of the your keyboard.

what kind of comment is that from,i assume a senior cwu official .put your dummy back in FFS.

there is a lot of oposition to this aggrement simple as,just accept that a lot of us think it isnt good enough.

[pickaname]

...if you want you can leave the union and then become a free loader as nothing gets agreed unless the CWU do it be that in your office or nationally.

I find this comment offensive to say the least.