Agreement update

[lovejoy]

When things get personal? This site is an anonymous forum - therefore people aren't attacked - opinions may be. Perhaps there is a thin skinned element out there. However, there are issues that are glossed over by these posters. The decoupling of the pensions issue and the failure to hold a ballot as promised in 2007 and then the subsequent acceptance of the poorer pension scheme and the retirement age increased to 65. Now let me ask a salient question on the pensions issue and see if any of the senior reps can answer - What pension scheme do the leadership have, a final salary scheme? and how much of the subs are paid into the scheme to offset the deficit annually. On the issue of finances has there been any cut backs as promised or is it still a fill your boots whilst the goings good.

The HQ pension schemes are currently under review for exactly the same reasons ours were - deficit etc.

On the HQ cutbacks the postal department review is underway and I believe this will result in a reduction of officers at HQ - and rightly so with a shrinking membership.

The Union structure has to change - both for financial reasons and also so it serves the priorities of the membership. For the first time in ages I feel the Union are moving this forward.

That lovejoy is music to my ears - and can I say that is probably the first time any suggestion from someone as senior as you has actually come forward to suggest that all is not well in the state of Denmark, the finances need to be regularised without Royal Mail assistance, which probably will not happen on privatisation and the wishes of the membership and not the parlous state of Royal Mails mismanagement need to be addressed.

What I mean by prioritise the members needs is basically CWU have a pot of money (members subs) and need to allocate it in the right place with the number one priority being representation in the workplace, IR and of course good communications.

[BELIAL]

But you ain't in the membership DVB so what you think don't count, and wont make the blindest bit of difference

[fishtank]

But you ain't in the membership DVB so what you think don't count, and wont make the blindest bit of difference

So....much the same as the rest of us then B.

[dvbuk55]

I have no knowledge of where your sphere of influence is - there is however a huge difference in the standard of representation across the country. Unit reps by and large represent the personnel within their office and do so relatively well BUT the support they receive from Area and Div Reps in the area I am in is non-existent. I know the people involved at that level and they are conspicuous by both their absence and support. It is true to say that they wish to represent the views of the CWU and not the members who elect them. If it is true that people like you are critical of the finances and structure of the CWU and involvement brings change.....................you can obviously see where that is leading.

[BELIAL]

But you ain't in the membership DVB so what you think don't count, and wont make the blindest bit of difference

So....much the same as the rest of us then B.

Not really the same as me ,cos I get to vote out the folks that let me down,rather than just carping on and on but DOING nowt

[lovejoy]

I have no knowledge of where your sphere of influence is - there is however a huge difference in the standard of representation across the country. Unit reps by and large represent the personnel within their office and do so relatively well BUT the support they receive from Area and Div Reps in the area I am in is non-existent. I know the people involved at that level and they are conspicuous by both their absence and support. It is true to say that they wish to represent the views of the CWU and not the members who elect them. If it is true that people like you are critical of the finances and structure of the CWU and involvement brings change.....................you can obviously see where that is leading.

I know what you are saying and varying standards of representation has and will always be an issue but it doesn't matter what level the rep is if they are not doing the job then somebody must stand up and challenge them - almost a case of put up or shut up. The Union is no different than any other walk of life. There are good uns and bad uns!

[lovejoy]

But you ain't in the membership DVB so what you think don't count, and wont make the blindest bit of difference

So....much the same as the rest of us then B.

Not really the same as me ,cos I get to vote out the folks that let me down,rather than just carping on and on but DOING nowt

And that to me is what it's all about - if you are not happy then do something about it. That can range from casting your vote for someone else to actually standing yourself!

[dvbuk55]

But you ain't in the membership DVB so what you think don't count, and wont make the blindest bit of difference

So....much the same as the rest of us then B.

As I have said in a previous thread I have been handing out letters for non-union members to join the union and despite my own preferences I make a point of saying that I feel that this is a time to be a member of the union. From my own point of view I feel more than capable of taking care of my own affairs at my time of life BUT for those who are going to go through these revisions and privatisation ......well perhaps they may need a little help and particularly for part timers.............it ain't a lot of money. My natural instinct is to attack and so I do and I cannot change the way I was trained to respond and for that I don't apologise.

[fishtank]

But you ain't in the membership DVB so what you think don't count, and wont make the blindest bit of difference

So....much the same as the rest of us then B.

Not really the same as me ,cos I get to vote out the folks that let me down,rather than just carping on and on but DOING nowt

No B....you get a vote..it's not really the same thing..it's better than nothing i'll grant you...but only a tiny bit better.

[gb93]

Any other views on how the revisions so far deployed are going ?
No problems reported/scare stories, any opinion on what's going on.
From a non X Factor fan, genuinely interested and promise not to attack the view.

[dvbuk55]

But you ain't in the membership DVB so what you think don't count, and wont make the blindest bit of difference

So....much the same as the rest of us then B.

Not really the same as me ,cos I get to vote out the folks that let me down,rather than just carping on and on but DOING nowt

And that to me is what it's all about - if you are not happy then do something about it. That can range from casting your vote for someone else to actually standing yourself!

Yes, well let me know when You and Lovejoy have got rid of Billy and Dave who were elected unopposed again ain't inflence a wonderful thing.

[lovejoy]

Any other views on how the revisions so far deployed are going ?
No problems reported/scare stories, any opinion on what's going on.
From a non X Factor fan, genuinely interested and promise not to attack the view.

Fair to say it is a mixed bag!

Some revisions have gone very well with the introduction of methods / sequencing offering members better attendance patters, weight off the shoulder etc.

On the other hand we still have major issues with managerial attitudes but I have to say where these are being raised with senior management they are slowly but surely being dealt with..........they key is to make sure that your rep raises it and if he/she doesnt send a note to branch or even hq. People can't help unless they know about it. We are very good at moaning without actually formally challenging.

[BELIAL]

ain't inflence a wonderful thing.

Tends to be more effective if you have a say

[lovejoy]

But you ain't in the membership DVB so what you think don't count, and wont make the blindest bit of difference

So....much the same as the rest of us then B.

Not really the same as me ,cos I get to vote out the folks that let me down,rather than just carping on and on but DOING nowt

And that to me is what it's all about - if you are not happy then do something about it. That can range from casting your vote for someone else to actually standing yourself!

Yes, well let me know when You and Lovejoy have got rid of Billy and Dave who were elected unopposed again ain't inflence a wonderful thing.

They can't help it that nobody stood against them can they?!

[BELIAL]

But you ain't in the membership DVB so what you think don't count, and wont make the blindest bit of difference

So....much the same as the rest of us then B.

Not really the same as me ,cos I get to vote out the folks that let me down,rather than just carping on and on but DOING nowt

No B....you get a vote..it's not really the same thing..it's better than nothing i'll grant you...but only a tiny bit better.

But it is all you've got Fishy ,so unless you think the Condems or RM management are going to launch a campaign to improve your working life,you might want to make the most you can of it. Unless you've got an alternative suggestion?