IOM Postal workers move closer to strike action

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POSTAL workers have moved a step closer to strike action following unsuccessful talks between their union and the Isle of Man Post Office.
Communication Workers' Union representatives met Post Office finance officer David Catlow last Thursday to try and reach a deal over a pay freeze.

CWU assistant secretary Terry Pullinger said they had left feeling disappointed and in a worse situation than before.

'The meeting didn't go very well,' he said.

'If anything, they're talking about extending the pay freeze for two years so we left the meeting disappointed.'

Mr Pullinger has warned that they would use any means possible – including striking – to resolve the issue. He said members were disappointed that the union had met Mr Catlow instead of acting chief executive Mike Kelly.

And he said he was concerned with the way in which the Post Office had responded to their grievances.

'It's like there's no thought being given on how we could avoid this situation,' he said.

'We understand people want to look at their budgets, but there are other ways of looking at it, such as through efficiencies.'

He said that, following the meeting, the CWU representatives met industrial relations officer Ian Cochrane to put across their case.

While they wait for the officer to contact the Post Office and come back with a response, the union has organised a meeting for its members – about 300 out of a total workforce of 452 – on Sunday.

'We will explain the situation to the members and make some decisions on how we try to move it forward,' he said.

'They feel undervalued and disappointed about how they are being treated.

'Members feel disrespected because of the work they have put in and the results the business have had and that there is no just reward for them.'

The Post Office, a statutory authority, was hit by the government's public sector pay freeze which came into effect this year.

When the union began its annual pay discussions with the Post Office in April, Mr Pullinger said they were told there was no room to manoeuvre.

But Mr Pullinger said that postal workers should not be treated in the same way as civil servants because it is not a government department and contributes to the government as Treasury takes 50 per cent of the Post Office's profits.

A Post Office spokesman said: 'Isle of Man Post Office met with the CWU for a second meeting on Thursday afternoon to continue discussions regarding the pay agreement 2010.

'Isle of Man Post Office is looking forward to having further talks with the union to reach an agreement.'