NATIONAL BRIEFING 8TH NOVEMBER 2012

[fishtank]

No. 822/12
Date: 1st November 2012
To: All Branches with Postal Members

Dear Colleague
NATIONAL BRIEFING 8TH NOVEMBER 2012

We can advise Branches that a National Briefing will be held on Thursday 8th November at Friend House, Euston, London
The Briefing will commence at 11.00 hrs and is due to conclude at 14.00 hrs.
Given the major challenges facing our members and the postal industry it is very important that all CWU Senior Field Officials, Regional Secretaries, Branch Secretaries, Area Representatives and appropriate Branch delegations are in attendance. We have attached the previous list of representatives who have attended National Briefings, for your information.
The agenda for the Briefing is as follows:

· Government plans for privatisation
· Regulation/Competition
· Post Office Mutualisation
· Business Transformation/Phase 3 talks

We have advised Royal Mail of this Briefing and normal release arrangements will apply.
Travel and subsistence costs associated with attendance at the Briefing will be in line with the instructions and advice issued in LTB 506/12.
Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the DGS (P) Department.
Yours sincerely

Dave Ward Billy Hayes
Deputy General Secretary (P) General Secretary

LIST OF REPS

CWU Regional Secretaries
Divisional Representatives
Technical Services Representatives
Territorial Counter Reps
Parcelforce Regional Organisers
Romec Divisional Representatives
All Royal Mail Area Reps (Delivery, Processing and Distribution)
Quadrant Area Representatives
Area Admin Representatives
1 Branch Representative
Romec Cleaners Regional Reps
Counter Section Secretaries
Area Safety Representatives
Customer Services Reps

[noggin1969]

The agenda for the Briefing is as follows:

· Government plans for privatisation
· Regulation/Competition
· Post Office Mutualisation
· Business Transformation/Phase 3 talks

Nothing about Dave and Billy's " expenses " then ?

[Ahebban]

Business Transformation/Phase 3 Talks ...

Presumably we can expect more of the same then - with privatisation looming RM are hardly likely to commit too another long-term deal so more likely to squeeze every last drop of blood, sweat and tear from the troops until then

Some DO's in our area are unlikely to get Delivery Method Revisions until Autumn 2013! - How on earth can you embark on such a major transformation of the business without having the necessary tools in place for each area ensuring DO's and MC's across the country are treated equally and fairly

After all the Business Transformation Agreement was a national agreement .. wasn't it?

[clashcityrocker]

If I was off on 8/11 could I just turn up at this meeting or is it by invitation only?

[General Mannerheim]

Are there free Sarnies and Ginger Beer again?

[fishtank]

If I was off on 8/11 could I just turn up at this meeting or is it by invitation only?

Policy Advisor usually gets you through the door,no questions asked.

[Pinky 1]

As for the race for the pies Clash, you won't be winning that one whatever time you turn up

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Are there free Sarnies and Ginger Beer again?

yes lashings of giinger beer

[Martin Walsh]

Folks i told you last week about the briefing. The PEC have agreed a document which will be the subject to the briefing? It is one of those moments in time of the CWU. Of course I expect lots of negative comments but some of us have more than often put ourselves and our necks on the line and not hid behind an anonymous name , we have stood up to both CWU HQs and royal mail by name and deed! will others come out at the briefing or in future ? Only time will tell !

[POSTMAN]

Any chance of the doc?

Regards,
Liam.

[General Mannerheim]

will others come out

Ohhh errr !
You first!

[fishtank]

Of course I expect lots of negative comments but some of us have more than often put ourselves and our necks on the line and not hid behind an anonymous name

Many of those who use an anonymous name have often put themselves and their necks on the line without the protection of anonymity.
Sometimes anonymity suits a particular set of circumstances better than shouting "Hey, everyone, come see how good I look".
If you mean this site the obvious advantages are that it allows a freedom of expression and opinion that is non-existent through any other channels.
The disadvantages are it can get a little petty sometimes but that's a minor drawback.
If you are referring to "other forces that shall not be spoken about" the union's very reaction to that situation completely vindicates the authors decision to remain anonymous.
Witch Hunts are so 15th Century.

[whatamess!!]

Escalation will happen from these plans,

On the gate by Christmas!!

[Ahebban]

There will always be negativity around topics - moreso when those topics provide make uncomfortable reading for members working at Royal Mail.

For me, the National and Local Briefings are a last chance for HQ to engage with its members - to provide strong leadership, not rhetoric, not guidelines or further joint statements but clear, unequivocal statements that postmen and postwomen can relate too. For example, if that means the DMR process nationally comes to a grinding halt then so be it. The leadership need to make it clear to members that where a case can be put for a DM Revision to be re-visited and revised using current versions of software etc then HQ should back that case. The CWU leadership needs to show that it can and will challenge RM across the board and not be drawn into an endless cycle of meetings, joint statements etc.

Personally I feel Billy, Dave and Bob appear too remote from the ordinary members now and that gap is widening. I wonder how many members can even name, let alone having seen, their Div Rep is another example of the lack of linkage within the structure of the CWU and speaks volumes about the level of morale. What ordinary posties see happening on a day-to-day basis within their DOs bears little relation to what is spoken of by the leadership. The CWU is often derided for having the word 'communication' in its name as it fails to communicate with its membership. That is not strictly true as there are ample means of communication through LTBs, email, CWU website, RMC etc which are regularly used to get the message out to members. It is the lack of conviction, the lack of spirit, which accompanies the message which I find troublesome and that does not bode well for the future.

The CWU as a whole needs to focus on an issue - keep the message simple, engage the members and run with it - and stop all the fudging and dithering. Hopefully these Briefings can be the springboard to unify the membership, bring back that feeling of solidarity and the will to fights. Ultimately, we may not win the war, but we can give RM a bloody nose from battles to come, and be proud to have done so to protect hard-earned terms and conditions etc.

[t-c]

There will always be negativity around topics - moreso when those topics provide make uncomfortable reading for members working at Royal Mail.

For me, the National and Local Briefings are a last chance for HQ to engage with its members - to provide strong leadership, not rhetoric, not guidelines or further joint statements but clear, unequivocal statements that postmen and postwomen can relate too. For example, if that means the DMR process nationally comes to a grinding halt then so be it. The leadership need to make it clear to members that where a case can be put for a DM Revision to be re-visited and revised using current versions of software etc then HQ should back that case. The CWU leadership needs to show that it can and will challenge RM across the board and not be drawn into an endless cycle of meetings, joint statements etc.

Personally I feel Billy, Dave and Bob appear too remote from the ordinary members now and that gap is widening. I wonder how many members can even name, let alone having seen, their Div Rep is another example of the lack of linkage within the structure of the CWU and speaks volumes about the level of morale. What ordinary posties see happening on a day-to-day basis within their DOs bears little relation to what is spoken of by the leadership. The CWU is often derided for having the word 'communication' in its name as it fails to communicate with its membership. That is not strictly true as there are ample means of communication through LTBs, email, CWU website, RMC etc which are regularly used to get the message out to members. It is the lack of conviction, the lack of spirit, which accompanies the message which I find troublesome and that does not bode well for the future.

The CWU as a whole needs to focus on an issue - keep the message simple, engage the members and run with it - and stop all the fudging and dithering. Hopefully these Briefings can be the springboard to unify the membership, bring back that feeling of solidarity and the will to fights. Ultimately, we may not win the war, but we can give RM a bloody nose from battles to come, and be proud to have done so to protect hard-earned terms and conditions etc.

Good post, well said :)