Anger at plan to move workers from town to St Albans

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.stalbansreview.co.uk/news/99 ... al_action/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ndustrial action by staff at Harpenden’s delivery office against the Royal Mail’s decision to move it out of town is one step closer to going ahead.

Results of the ballot that was carried out round the office to gain enough staff signatures for industrial action has come back with a majority of "yes" votes.

Out of 19 ballots returned, 12 people voted in favour of striking and seven voted against.

Royal Mail sold the building in Station Road off this month and 52 members of staff will be gradually moved over to the St Albans office this month.

However, the Communication Workers Union is planning industrial action as a last-ditch attempt to try and change Royal Mail’s mind. Tom Walker, postal branch secretary of the northern Home Counties, said "I am very pleased the majority of votes have come back as a yes to go ahead with industrial action.

"Industrial action is the last thing we want to do because we wouldn’t want to interrupt a public service.

"However, we want to change Royal Mail’s mind and make them realise they are making a huge mistake which they would regret for many years to come.

"We want to sit down with them for meaningful negotiation and make them realise their decisions are unsafe and unwarranted."


Mr Walker has informed the Royal Mail of the ballot results and awaits a decision.

[clashcityrocker]

12 votes to 7 out of 52 staff?

[al64]

Too little too late, They have known about this for well over a year and have done nothing, The number of people that bothered to vote speaks volumes, They will not strike now or ever

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Too little too late, They have known about this for well over a year and have done nothing, The number of people that bothered to vote speaks volumes, They will not strike now or ever

I have heard that St Albans is not a closed shop apparently Union membership is approx 30 out of the 50 , and some are reporting they didn't get a ballot paper. That bit about the ballot papers always crops up though. I am not into conspiracy theories, but its a bit strange that because of the law the ballot is usually postal, which means we have to use the services of the employer we are in dispute with.

[clashcityrocker]

Apparently:
Not sure how many will join in with any IA. There is the usual 'cant lose a days pay' rubbish. Some are anti-union at the moment. A feeling this should have been done about 6 months or so ago.
Mostly people are just working properly and the cut-offs with the new system is through the roof. there is about 7 or 8 casuals plus a couple from other offices with us at the moment. I did hear 500 hours of casual staff in just a couple of weeks! For an office that size seems fairly high.
Funny thing is that only two thirds of the office have started van sharing. only getting worse when the other third starts - at the same time as a different third move to st albans. The plan is to move in 3 groups (thats just stupid in itself - imagine IPS with a load of walks in a different office!). The 1st group has already been delayed because work not finished. There is still the argument there just isnt room! Apparantly "legally" there is the room, but that doesnt mean there actually is room.
Thats just a rough jist of whats going on.

[DirtyHarry]

Apparently:
Not sure how many will join in with any IA. There is the usual 'cant lose a days pay' rubbish. Some are anti-union at the moment. A feeling this should have been done about 6 months or so ago.
Mostly people are just working properly and the cut-offs with the new system is through the roof. there is about 7 or 8 casuals plus a couple from other offices with us at the moment. I did hear 500 hours of casual staff in just a couple of weeks! For an office that size seems fairly high.
Funny thing is that only two thirds of the office have started van sharing. only getting worse when the other third starts - at the same time as a different third move to st albans. The plan is to move in 3 groups (thats just stupid in itself - imagine IPS with a load of walks in a different office!). The 1st group has already been delayed because work not finished. There is still the argument there just isnt room! Apparantly "legally" there is the room, but that doesnt mean there actually is room.
Thats just a rough jist of whats going on.

The usual shambles that results from Royal Mail's peculiar take on 'modernisation,' I see.