PENSIONS : CO-ORDINATED ACTION WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 30TH 2011

[TrueBlueTerrier]

04 November 2011
LTB 936/11 Pensions Co-ordinated Action

For instant updates: http://www.cwu.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; email: info@cwu.org


150 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1RX
Tel: 020 8971 7200 Fax: 020 8971 7300
General Secretary: Billy Hayes (http://www.billyhayes.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

General Secretary: Billy Hayes (http://www.billyhayes.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
General Secretary: Billy Hayes (http://www.billyhayes.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)
General Secretary: Billy Hayes

Letter to Branches












No. 936/11
Ref: GS: 13.0
Date: 04/11/11










To All Branches






Dear Colleagues,



PENSIONS : CO-ORDINATED ACTION WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 30TH 2011



Branches will be aware of the impending co-ordinated industrial action that is likely to take place on Wednesday November 30th 2011.



Reports of the most recent ballot results of Unison shows a 78% majority of their members voting to take strike action - details of which can be accessed by: http://www.unison.org.uk/news/news_viewasp?did=7342" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Unison’s ballot builds on the ballot of NUT, PCS, ATL and the forthcoming announcement from UNITE and GMB.



The TUC press details on this can be accessed by: http://www.tuc.org.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



To build upon the support for those unions involved in the major dispute, the General Secretary has asked to meet with the Regional Secretaries on Monday 14th November 2011. In the run up to that meeting, it would be helpful if Branches could communicate details of supported action to the appropriate Region. This information will, in turn, be cascaded out prior to November 30th to ensure that we give maximum support to those Unions engaged in this struggle.



Any enquiries on this LTB should be forwarded to the General Secretary’s office quoting the reference GS 13.0.



Yours sincerely







W HAYES
General Secretary

[Cut Off King]

So Billy wants the CWU to support the other unions over pensions

Thats rich, when it came to the RM pension, they rolled over without a fight and let RM do as they pleased.

He has a very short memory. And we'll be paying for it in our retirement.

[dvbuk55]

So Billy wants the CWU to support the other unions over pensions

Thats rich, when it came to the RM pension, they rolled over without a fight and let RM do as they pleased.

He has a very short memory. And we'll be paying for it in our retirement.

Probably because these other unions haven't "decoupled" AND they have at least balloted their members - whilst we are still waiting for the promised ballot - bit late though.

[Martin Walsh]

There are lots of ways the CWU can support those unions who will be going on strike on the 30th if they actually do go on strike.

In terms of the CWUs position is that we are not a public sector pension scheme and therefore the attacks on the other unions does not effect us. For instance we already have a care scheme , we have still got the final salary on all service before 2008 which will still mean that your final salary will count when you retire , we do not have the issue of CPI as the care scheme has written into it RPI , as does the POPS scheme , only those are in the old POSS scheme and only when they retire. Equally we still can take our final salary scheme at 60.

Now Billy and Dave or the PEC did not give up the final salary scheme. Royal Mail took executive action. Now to have a row on pensions in our industry you have to convince the Branch's to fight and then get the members on board. 40 ,000 of people in Royal Mail are not in the pension s scheme, a couple of thousand were already in reciept of their pension, now the CWU held a consultive ballot and the turn out was not great and it was workplace based.

We then held a national briefing in Northampton in 2008 , during the AGM season and there was not the appetite for a row on pensions. The North West of England were facing the mail centre closure programe and they stated that they want to fight on jobs not pensions. In fact the only division calling for the ballot was London and that was not enough.

Now I hear a lot of people saying they were up for the row , but what did you do to bring it about. Did you go to your Branch AGM demanding they support the call for a ballot or did you do nothing ?

I along with a number of reps have a clear conscience as I argued for a national ballot at that briefing and others but sadly that was not enough.

[fishtank]

Now I hear a lot of people saying they were up for the row , but what did you do to bring it about. Did you go to your Branch AGM demanding they support the call for a ballot or did you do nothing ?

I along with a number of reps have a clear conscience as I argued for a national ballot at that briefing and others but sadly that was not enough.

Yes but to be fair dingo most of us...how can i put this delicately...have an alternative profession.
You have the time and resources(paid for by members) to make sure you have a clear concience,it is after all your full-time occupation.
Arguing at branches and briefings is...your job.
It's not mine...for me it's just a hobby.

[dvbuk55]

Ipso facto - the pensions battle was decoupled from the vote by HQ knowing full well that it was a crucial point in the ballot. There may well have been an AGM in 2008 BUT the promised pensions ballot never took place and so the membership didn't get a chance to voice any opposition. The facts can always be slanted to support any argument - the pensions issue was ignored for its own members but seems to be an issue when others are affected.

You seem to think that the pension scheme now offered is somehow as good as the pension scheme that was closed, it is a pension scheme, has some merit but it isn't as good as the original scheme. You can quote the deficit but that was not of the memberships making.

[fishtank]

In August 2009 i was sent something called CWU Representatives Brief National Industrial Action Ballot.

This is what it had to say about pensions and the position reps were supposed to convey to members.



We know the issue of pensions remains hugely important to CWU members and that many people are still angry about the changes that were imposed in 2008.

The Union remains determined to secure a better deal for our members and also ensure that the burden of an ever-increasing pension deficit is removed from the company. However, we accept that a solution can only be found with the intervention of Government.

In September 2009 the Trustees are due to announce the results of the next valuation of the scheme. This is expected to show that the deficit has grown to a figure in excess of £10 billion. The Post Office Chairman has already stated in the press that without Government intervention the only answer to this problem is the total closure of the existing pension scheme and its replacement with a cheaper alternative. Similarly, we know the Government are waiting for the announcement on the next valuation to renew the threat of privatisation and further attacks on our members’ pension arrangements.

The reality is: If we don’t make this an issue then we can be sure both the Government and Royal Mail will. It is essential that our representatives convey to our members what is likely to take place in the next few weeks with the announcement of the next valuation. This will undoubtedly receive media coverage and will be used again to blackmail our members. This is why pensions will form part of this dispute. We want our representatives to prepare our members in advance for what is likely to take place in September.

The Union has already taken the initiative and has offered both the company and the Trustees the opportunity to hold a joint press conference with the Union where all parties join together in pressurising Government to intervene. Further information on pensions will be sent out in due course.

By the 5th of November it had been de-coupled from the talks and members had no say in that decision at all.

[dvbuk55]

Well apparently RM took executive action on the pensions issue and so ...............well nothing really. Although I am sure it is going to painted as yet another truimph.

[fishtank]

Pensions,like bullying is only ever an issue to be used as a catalyst.
It is never an issue to be addressed.
Once the dust settles it's put back in it's box until next time.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

T Did you go to your Branch AGM demanding they support the call for a ballot

It would be nice to be able to.

You know those large geographical branches I go on about. Well my Branch is in a different city, the meeting are only ever held in one place, its usually late in the evening and usually mid week or a Sunday IIRC. I would attend but as I get up to go to work at 5am and do a full 8 hours, then would have to travel for a minimum of 1 hour to get there (mid week), and 1 to get back, add in the 2 to 3 hours of the meeting where do I fit it in.

I have attended branch meetings when on leave, and I have attended Demos - including the Anti Cuts in Manchester and London so please don't infer that because I physically can't attend branch AGMs due to other commitments, that I am not committed to being active in the Union.

Most members work hard at a physical job, some walking the streets for 5 hours or more, they don't have the luxury of having spare time or energy to attend meetings if there is a lot of travel. Perhaps the Union needs to look at whether large branches actually provide members with the support they need. Alternatively the could look at how AGM and ordinary Branch meetings are handled, do they always have to be where the largest concentration of members are, or can AGMs be held throughout the branch area at various times, with the results and feedback being centralised into one report, votes, and motions. Do members presenting motions for consideration have to attend.

This again comes under engagement of members and again why some consider the Union to be out of touch.

[dvbuk55]

T Did you go to your Branch AGM demanding they support the call for a ballot

It would be nice to be able to.

You know those large geographical branches I go on about. Well my Branch is in a different city, the meeting are only ever held in one place, its usually late in the evening and usually mid week or a Sunday IIRC. I would attend but as I get up to go to work at 5am and do a full 8 hours, then would have to travel for a minimum of 1 hour to get there (mid week), and 1 to get back, add in the 2 to 3 hours of the meeting where do I fit it in.

I have attended branch meetings when on leave, and I have attended Demos - including the Anti Cuts in Manchester and London so please don't infer that because I physically can't attend branch AGMs due to other commitments, that I am not committed to being active in the Union.

Most members work hard at a physical job, some walking the streets for 5 hours or more, they don't have the luxury of having spare time or energy to attend meetings if there is a lot of travel. Perhaps the Union needs to look at whether large branches actually provide members with the support they need. Alternatively the could look at how AGM and ordinary Branch meetings are handled, do they always have to be where the largest concentration of members are, or can AGMs be held throughout the branch area at various times, with the results and feedback being centralised into one report, votes, and motions. Do members presenting motions for consideration have to attend.

This again comes under engagement of members and again why some consider the Union to be out of touch.

It would help even more if the branch members were informed as to when meetings are being held. The last information I received from a full time rep - "vote for me" - communication I emailed our Area Rep a week ago to ask why our revision payments have not been paid - I still wait for an answer - even an acknowledgement. Out of touch? - more off this planet.