Membership income down...Subs up!

[fishtank]

A TIME FOR HARD DECISIONS

With the CWU facing serious financial challenges at a time when unions across the country are already braced for attack by a unionhostile
Government, CWU senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns explains why tough choices are needed to secure our future...

Falling membership income, a pension scheme deficit and the challenges posed by a union-hostile Tory/ Lib Dem Government mean hard decisions will be needed to secure a viable future for the CWU as a stand-alone union.

That was the uncompromising message from CWU senior deputy general secretary Tony Kearns as he revealed the need to look
at reducing expenditure by around £4 million from the CWU's current financial outgoings. Admitting that he'd taken a "sharp intake of breath" when the scale of the challenges facing the union's finances had become clear, Tony stressed, however, he believed the necessary changes were achievable and that they could actually serve to refocus the union on providing the services that members most cherish.

Pledging his determination to actively engage with activists and members alike during an ongoing expenditure review process, Tony insisted it was vital that everyone in the organisation both understands the problem and the role they can play in the solution.
Crucially, he stressed, that must involve a concerted effort to recruit an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 "missing members" in long-established CWU-represented workplaces.
"If we're able to recruit just a third of those non-members we would improve our financial position enormously," Tony said. Insisting there can be "no no-go areas" in the review of CWU spending that lies ahead, Tony stressed, however, the union will always find the money required to fight threats to the terms and conditions of members - and that includes the Coalition Government's plan to privatise Royal Mail.
Neither will the CWU be forced into the hypocritical position of attacking the terms and conditions of its own employees in the sort of ways that the union routinely opposes when attempted by members' employers.
The review of every area of CWU expenditure will, however, be stringent - and will include the split between branch and HQ expenditure amid clear indications that some branches are receiving more funding than they actually require to service their memberships, whilst some branches receive too little. Tony concludes: "We need to ensure the structures we have are costeffective and affordable - and that those
structures are delivering what membersn want and pay their money for."


CWU FINANCES
NEW CONTRIBUTION RATES
Communication Workers Union
Contribution Rates from 1 January 2011 “I” RATE.....“O” RATE.....“I” RATE....“O” RATE
Plan 1...........................................3.11.......... 3.01.......... 13.46...... 13.03.....(increase 10p weekly/38p monthly)
Plan 2 - O2 Preston Brook only...............n/a........... n/a ..........12.16 ......11.73.....(increase £1.61 monthly)
Plan 3...........................................2.20 ...........2.10 ..........9.55 ........9.12.....(increase 6p weekly/26p monthly)
Plan 4...........................................1.90........... 1.80 ..........8.25 ........7.82.....(increase 5p weekly/23p monthly)
Plan 5...........................................1.60........... 1.50.......... 6.95 ........6.52.....(increase 4p weekly/19p monthly)
Plan 6...........................................1.31........... 1.21 ..........5.64 ........5.21.....(increase 4p weekly/15p monthly)
Plan 7...........................................1.00........... 0.90 ..........4.34 ........3.91.....(increase 17p weekly/75p monthly)
Retired members..............................1.10 ...........1.00.......... 4.78........ 4.35.....(increase 3p weekly/13p monthly
Retired Associate members..................n/a............. n/a ..........3.65 ........3.22......(increase 9p monthly)

Weekly Contributions Monthly Contributions
"I" rate includes political fund contribution and "O" rate is the rate paid by members who have opted out of the political fund. CWU subscriptions will rise by 3% on 1st January for the majority of members. Discounted rates payable by members in certain companies where we have recognition are being adjusted, including changing the discount, to bring them into line with the rates quoted above.

Retired members who pay by direct debit/standing order should notify their bank of the increase.
Members in receipt of PO or BT Pensions will have the increase automatically applied and do notneed to make contact with their respective Pension Schemes.

A Letter to Branches (LTB) will be issued shortly giving the rate applicable based on Company/hours worked.

[youwot!!!!!]

useless twats should not be allowed to charge more for less of a service.who do they think they are councils!!!!!

[jockstrapp]

Get rid of Hayes and Ward.................that will save a few bob.

[ziko]

What about increasing what we pay by the same amount as our last pay rise 6% over the next 3 years - This seems a 'fair deal.'

[Danelectro]

In the current climate when the union seems to be backtracking and fudging on a whole host of issues in the 2010 beyond
and even the troll Arthur Mullard like Bob Gibson admits many managers 6 month into the deal aint playing ball then its not
an easy task recruiting new members.

Ive got plenty to join in the past but sows ear and silk purse spring to mind.

So if anybodys got any tips on how to punt CWU membership then ill give it a go.

[Typhoon]

Neither will the CWU be forced into the hypocritical position of attacking the terms and conditions of its own employees in the sort of ways that the union routinely opposes when attempted by members' employers.


Erm, 5 door to doors a week now, less money for doing them.

Early morning shift allowance gone that was seemingly 'protected' after the 2008 agreement.


Hypocrites, either that or incredibly thick.