CWU membership for Subbies

[subbie]

Just a question for all you CWU members, given all the changes that the Postal services Bill is likely to bring (If passed), particularly the potential end of the Crown Office Network, and the loss of members that move might bring.........the question is, should Subbies join the CWU ?

Would this be possible, would the Union find this acceptable? If so what could the CWU offer by way of membership benefits and representation?

I hope for sensible responses to these questions.

Subbie

[billyhayes]

What would be the point?

If and when we all lose or jobs in Crowns, it will be directly attributable to the CWU as they would not have negotiated job security for its members.

Why would you want to pay a union that has just let 4000 members lose their jobs?

And I can assure you it will be 'jobs lost' as no one, be it Smiffs, Wilkinsons or any other company will pay £11 an hour.

How many mugs do you see transferring over, (if that's even an option), and doing the same job for a 50% odd paycut?

You don't need the CWU. Have faith in your Federation Of Planets. They will save you.

That's about as sensible a response you'll get from me.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Subbies I don't think could join the CWU - I would have thought a Postmaster would if anything be a CMA grade position rather than a CWU one.

[obiwanknobe]

Or an alternative?

Dave Ward for General Secretary of the NFSP.

[The BFO]

Just a question for all you CWU members, given all the changes that the Postal services Bill is likely to bring (If passed), particularly the potential end of the Crown Office Network, and the loss of members that move might bring.........the question is, should Subbies join the CWU ?

Would this be possible, would the Union find this acceptable? If so what could the CWU offer by way of membership benefits and representation?

I hope for sensible responses to these questions.

Subbie

I suggest you apply to join and see what happens.

Quote:
What kinds of workers are joining the CWU today?
The CWU specialise in the communications industry, and an ever wider range of people are joining; call centre workers working sales or customer services, engineers in networks, switch, riggers, power & plant workers in the postal industry, mailing houses, couriers and franchised post offices are joining the CWU. We currently are campaigning and raising awareness of workers rights in a number of companies.

http://www.cwu.org/recruitment-amp-organising.html

[cdpete2004]

Now why would anyone want to leave the wonderful organisation that the nfsp is to join any other 'union' ? They fight for higher rates of remuneration, better terms and conditions, the welfare and well being of their members. Oh, no, wait. I'm tripping here. The nfsp, that's the useless bunch of d*cks who are at the moment squabbling over who said what to who about what, a pathetic group of individuals about to embark on a pathetic little civil war within their ranks. I have to declare my interest here and say I'm not, and will never be, a member of this sad little collection of insignificants...after all, I'm a subpostmaster, dammit ! Admired and loved by the community, highly valued by government and pol alike....oops....tripping again....

[billyhayes]

[kathleen1]

Subbie is still determined to get rid of the crown office network isn't he? wouldn't it be funny if they shut all the subbies and
just kept the crowns open and do you know why? because we are WORTH it.

[subbie]

Thanks for the replies so far, all bollocks, except for the BFO.

Are there no CWU officials out there who could provide a sensible answer?

The thought struck me that if the Crown Network is to diminish then surely the CWU clerical section would be looking for replacements, eg Subbies. Now that would pee on POL's fireworks! This whole PSB thing is all about breaking the Union as well as raising cash.

Subbie

[POSTMAN]

If i rem right our GS is pissed at your GS (He's registered on here btw )

Not sure whether our mob would or could morally kill off the NFSB though.

[kathleen1]

This thought struck me as long as the cwu protect its members, job security, pay, terms and conditions we couldn't care less what the subbies join, and if the Crown office network does diminish hopefully the union will get the best VR terms for its members.I for one will be glad when any announcements get made so i can move on and get another job and have my redundancy for me because i have earnt every penny, i won't be working for WH smiths or a sub-office no thank-you thats if they exist at all, £6.00 per hour , i wouldn't get out of bed for less than £11.00 per hour.

[The BFO]

I was a member of the Union of Postal Workers before it was renamed the Union of Communication Workers. I seem to remember the change came about when BT was split from The Post Office, and that the emphasis on Communication was intended to attract a wider membership. In view of this I would have thought it would be a good idea for all Sub Postmasters to join the CWU
I see no reason why Sub Postmasters should not protect all avenues by being members of both the CWU, and Federation.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I was a member of the Union of Postal Workers before it was renamed the Union of Communication Workers. I seem to remember the change came about when BT was split from The Post Office, and that the emphasis on Communication was intended to attract a wider membership. In view of this I would have thought it would be a good idea for all Sub Postmasters to join the CWU
I see no reason why Sub Postmasters should not protect all avenues by being members of both the CWU, and Federation.

If they are in full agreement then there would be no problems. However what about when a conflict between the positions of the CWU and NFSP arises:

For instance:

“The NFSP rejects criticism of the Network Change six-week public consultation process, which we feel is more than adequate to allow full public input into the proposals balanced against the need to end the uncertainty faced by subpostmasters. If the motion placed before the House of Commons is successful, we believe it will result in more uncertainty for those subpostmasters who are ready to accept the compensation deal on offer and leave the network with much of their original investment intact."

http://www.hellmail.co.uk/postalnews/te ... cleid=2585" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Copyright © 2008 Hellmail

“If Alan Cook was serious about developing a sustainable network he wouldn’t be so zealously pursuing this damaging closure programme and would stop the sham consultations which have so far failed to represent the concerns of communities and politicians alike.

http://www.cwu.org/post-office-consulta ... ve_page=37" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

and on a fundamental matter.

Billy Hayes, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union has written to George Thomson. leader of the National Federation of Subpostmasters asking why he was not allowed to address the NFSP Executive Council on the 22nd November. Mr Hayes is furious that the NFSP has chosen to support the new Postal Services Bill which will see 90% of Royal Mail sold to private investors without allowing the CWU to present its case for public ownership. Hayes described the NFSP's actions as "short sighted"

Copyright © 2008 Hellmail http://www.hellmail.co.uk/postalnews/te ... cleid=2585" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[billyhayes]

This thought struck me as long as the cwu protect its members, job security, pay, terms and conditions we couldn't care less what the subbies join, and if the Crown office network does diminish hopefully the union will get the best VR terms for its members.I for one will be glad when any announcements get made so i can move on and get another job and have my redundancy for me because i have earnt every penny, i won't be working for WH smiths or a sub-office no thank-you thats if they exist at all, £6.00 per hour , i wouldn't get out of bed for less than £11.00 per hour.

Well... that certainly is one way of putting it.

How are all the replies bollocks so far eh, subbie?

If you really are on less than minimum wage, (as you have said before), then why the f@@k would you want to throw £13 a month away to an organization that has just shed 4000 members???? That is a serious question.

Maybe you think once all us Crownies go, that they will be able to negotiate £11 an hour paydeals for subpostmaters eh?

Just fill out a membership form, which are available in the downloads section I think, and see how you get on.

End of line.

[obiwanknobe]

Wasn't George Thompson a member of the CWU before he blew up the NFSP?