London votes for strike action

[maisymoo04]

The problem is that London give the impression that they are a special case, that their circumstances are different to everyone else and that has always been the case. The truth is that they have and still do have disproportional influence over union affairs and have an insular approach to agreements as it affects the rest of country. The CWU allow themselves to be swayed by local London issues, which in truth, elsewhere have been largely ignored.

Is conference any different?

thats what i mean dv and not said in a nasty way like me :

[Martin Walsh]

London does not have any more influence over CWU Headquarters then any other part of the UK. The fact is that London does not have control over conference. If we honest other parts of the Union think we have better conditions and often that clouds their judgement.

The reason the motion was carried is that everyone knows if Royal Mail get away with complusory redundnacies in London they will do so everywhere. We all know that . People might refuse to accept that , ignore it or try and dimiss it but deep down anyone with any sense will understand Royal Mail does nothing in isolation it is all part of a bigger stategy.

London has more full timers for a couple of reasons one we have managed to defend full time jobs but also for years the job market in London was that they could not keep part timers on deliveries for a long time even if they could recuirt them.

It may be popular in thinking we have control over Headquarters because we are based in London but it does not make it true.

[Cut Off King]

I often dissagree with Dingo, and I do believe that London jobs/ duties are lighter that most of the rest of the counrty have to work

HOWEVER, you've go to ask why that would be?

Could it be that when RM comes knocking on the door for further saving, most CWU area's complain & shout, but in the end give into RM with RM getting the lions share of any deal thats struck?

Where as London members are willing to Ballot straight away, and don't give RM an inch ( because as we have seen, give RM an inch and they'll take a mile ) and thus they protect their T&C better than others

I think RM hate the fact that they can get a better % of saving else where in the country than they can from London

Thus London is attacked again

Just maybe WE, the rest of the CWU have got it wrong and London members have got it right?

Maybe WE need to STAND UP a bit more and not just grumble and accept what crumbs that RM & Local CWU offer us.

(I could be wrong so, I fully expect to get shot down for this post - so appologys in advance if I'm upsetting anyone )

[thelastpostie]

London does not have any more influence over CWU Headquarters then any other part of the UK. The fact is that London does not have control over conference. If we honest other parts of the Union think we have better conditions and often that clouds their judgement.

The reason the motion was carried is that everyone knows if Royal Mail get away with complusory redundnacies in London they will do so everywhere. We all know that . People might refuse to accept that , ignore it or try and dimiss it but deep down anyone with any sense will understand Royal Mail does nothing in isolation it is all part of a bigger stategy.

London has more full timers for a couple of reasons one we have managed to defend full time jobs but also for years the job market in London was that they could not keep part timers on deliveries for a long time even if they could recuirt them.

It may be popular in thinking we have control over Headquarters because we are based in London but it does not make it true.

I agree with your assessment Dingo, if you remember, the London MLO Closure programme in the 90's was handled in a correct manner with staff being allowed to move with the work, transfer, or take EVR? It involved considerably more staff than the current closure programme and was achieved without compulsory redundency.

I think its important that we focus on the real and most important issue, and that is the real prospect of CR. I know of situations where people have been bullied, intimidated and forced to leave under duress because Royal Mail are offering them what they consider to be a reasonable job offer that they know they can't take. They then say they've made you a reasonable job offer, so you either take EVR or be made CR, this is happening now.

[brothermagrew]

My own personal opinion and I have read the threads carefully is that I don't give two hoots in which part of the country nationally you are based, if you are a cwu member under attack whether it be your terms or conditions or otherwise you have my whole hearted support in your endevours against those that attack us. It should and remain so one for all and all for one, now that is trade unionism at its best.

[fishtank]

It should and remain so one for all and all for one, now that is trade unionism at its best.

It should brothermagrew...unfortunately large sections of the membership no longer believe that our union promotes this principle.
I suppose that is the inevitable result of supporting local agreements that vary terms and conditions across the workforce.
An injury to one is now very much their problem.
Not how i would like it but as i said to rocky...i'm not a policy maker.

[brothermagrew]

Well said brother fishtank but as an auld diehard I always maintain that with regards to policy or smolicy national agreements hold the field over local agreements.