My point is that if this is a sign that 'autumn pressure' has started, it should put us in a stronger position if we have to strike again. Two weeks of rolling strikes at a traditionally quiet time of year created a big backlog, so more strikes of a similar style would cripple Royal Mail, surely ? My fear is that we'll be asked to vote on a deal that's unacceptable, and then by the time the resounding No vote is counted, the mandate for industrial action will be deemed expired, and we'll be in late September. Then another vote for I/A will need to be carried out, so that'll be three weeks to send out ballot papers, return them, count them and declare the result, then a further delay of a week whilst the CWU give the minimum 7 days notice to RM of new strike dates. We may not get the 77% we achieved last time if people start thinking they'll not be striking again until late October / early November.
SO HERE'S MY MESSAGE TO DAVE WARD & BILLY HAYES: whatever deal is struck, don't let the mandate for I/A expire. To keep it 'live', give Royal Mail the required statutory notice of further strike dates on the morning of 5th September, the day after the talks finish. Set the new strike dates to commence on the day after the outcome of the vote on the pay deal is known. That way, if the pay deal you've thrashed out gets the seal of approval from us, those strikes aren't necessary, and can be called-off. But if the membership says b*llocks to a crap offer, we can be back on strike the day after rejecting the deal, and give them a huge problem much much sooner. Sound like a plan, boys ??
