We need an alternative union

[first_class_stamp]

Is there any union other than the CWU that postmen can join? If not are there a group of people who use this forum who would get together and form their own union? Is it possible to form a new trade union? Could users of this form help me list things the CWU have screwed us up on? I'll start the ball rolling,

1) Due to the CWU agreement on door to doors we now pick up less money than we did 10 years ago.
2) Massive duties
3) Colleague share
4) Mostly part time workforce
5) Over running delivers a daily occurrence
6) The worst working conditions we have ever had.
7) Van sharing
8) Things set to get even worse

[Royal_Fail]

I expect the list of complaints will be endless but at end of day crap union is better than no union?

I don't think RM would recognise another union.

[first_class_stamp]

lol why? Anything Royal Mail have wanted to introduce they have, all the union has done is slow them down a bit and helped the changes go smoothly. Without the CWU, Royal Mail would be f****d and postmen/women would have put up a much greater resistance. Remember all CWU officials are paid by Royal Mail and work for Royal Mail and help Royal Mail. We need a real union who would stand up for postal workers and who are not on the Royal Mail pay roll.

[blackadder]

its too late to change now. maybe 10 years ago even 5 would have made a big differance. weather we be here in 5 years time is not something i put money on

[fishtank]

First of all i'm not impressed with the direction taken by the union over the last 5 years,it lacks focus and clarity and even if you believe as some do(not me) that the decisions taken are in the best interests of the membership it is obvious to anybody with half a brain that these decisions would be unpopular,would disengage the membership and would lead to widespread apathy,to counter that the union would have needed to up it's game both in organisation and communication and it has failed on both counts.
HQ is sluggish to respond to problems,takes criticism personally and appears to hide from bad news rather than facing it.

The Branch structure is badly in need of an overhaul where some branches are completely failing to engage with local units and some officials running branches like an inner member's social club.Apathy is rife in some areas with AGM's attracting a handful of members perpetuating the same old faces in control and undermining true accountability.
Some local reps are badly in need of training and some are corrupt or not up to the job,again accountability is being diluted by apathy.

Having said all that there are a lot of good reps,good branches and good officials in the CWU and at this particular point in time with the uncertainty facing us only a fool or a very brave man would leave.
As for another union..there is nothing stopping you joining a different union but i don't think Royal Mail will talk to the Broadcasting, Entertainment, Cinematograph and Theatre Union.

[BELIAL]

What makes you think things would be different with an alternative union ?
Obviously just my personal perspective but ,I've no reason to believe my branch is atypical, especially looking at election returns.
In general terms ,a membership that fails to exercise its choice in elections ; fails to attend AGM's ; fails to read agreements and fails to support it's reps , well you could say you get exactly the union you deserve.
Strong unions do not appear by magic , and given the same level of membership support and input I think any union would look pretty much like ours .
Course there is the eggy chicken position that a strong and inspiring leadership would help to create a more involved membership , but it don't look like that is happening to me ,so your only choice looks like a bottom up movement

[AnotherLimey]

lol why? Anything Royal Mail have wanted to introduce they have, all the union has done is slow them down a bit and helped the changes go smoothly. Without the CWU, Royal Mail would be f****d and postmen/women would have put up a much greater resistance. Remember all CWU officials are paid by Royal Mail and work for Royal Mail and help Royal Mail. We need a real union who would stand up for postal workers and who are not on the Royal Mail pay roll.

Well i'm a union official and yes i'm paid by RM, paid to do a P&L and work very hard thankyou very much

[postypie]

The CWU have always been there to back me up when needed and have never really let me down so no complaints from me!
Saying that..two of our last three CWU reps ended up as managers having looked after themselves as CWU reps !
Now our office has not had a rep for years!lol

[steven100]

If your not happy with the union, why not become a manager ??? This way you could join the managers union.

[BoltonPostie]

I expect the list of complaints will be endless but at end of day crap union is better than no union?

Well after witnessing all the backslapping and joking around between the union and management today in my office then I'd vote for the Albanian state washing up union to do a better job.

[peterhazell]

Who are the CWU representing...

[fishtank]

I'd vote for the Albanian state washing up union to do a better job.

The Albanian State Washing Up Union is on it's knees.
Automation has decimated membership levels.

[POSTMAN]

Oh ffs Fish! pmsl!

[first_class_stamp]

Fish..... The CWU officials are employed by Royal Mail and paid by Royal Mail and have f****d postmen’s/postwomens jobs and lives up. You do the math. They represent Royal Mail. Thought everyone knew that. They are there as another layer of management to ensure changes go through smoothly and CWU members pay CWU leaders massive salaries for the pleasure of them screwing our lives up.

[BELIAL]

Thats exactly what my RM regional manager told me this morning ,it must be true