Opening up Postmasters eyes

[subbie]

Some breaking news
Subbie


Hi Everyone.

Today the Postmasters Branch launches its 2013 recruitment campaign. Every Post Office will receive our Newsletter and a membership application form.

We have some interesting news to share.

In response to a Freedom of Information request the Post Office confirmed that it DOES NOT recognise the NFSP for collective bargaining on behalf of Sub Postmasters.

The Post Office also confirmed that it has given the NFSP over £1million over the last three years. During the last year POL gave the NFSP £350k specifically for their assistance in promoting NT. This has to raise questions concerning the independence of the NFSP from the employer.

This is a game changing event for Postmasters.

What this means is that Postmasters have no official representation, by right, against POL. The NFSP are simply consulted, they are a membership organisation, a lobbying group at best. Nothing that they agree with POL can or ever did have a binding effect on Postmasters in the way a collective bargaining agreement would have.

Members of the NFSP are going to have to come to terms with the fact that what they believed in, does not exist. There is no point in holding branch meetings, regional councils, Annual Conference, you can change nothing unless it first finds favour with the Post Office.

Yet NFSP members continue to pay high levels of subscriptions commensurate with Unions that do have official recognition.

The path ahead for the CWU Postmasters Branch is now clear, we will work towards applying for Collective Bargaining Rights on behalf of Postmasters.

It is openly discussed within NFSP circles that the organisation wants to change into another format, the CWU Postmasters Branch welcomes that approach, all we ask is that you make your minds up quickly, and declare your intentions. We are ready to step in and assume the role of officially representing Postmasters in the true Union sense. We are willing to work in tandem with the NFSP whilst all this takes place, even an amalgamation could be considered.

This is no longer a battle between two Unions, this is now simply due process to set up a true structure that is fit for purpose to secure better income levels and conditions for Postmasters.

We will have to drag POL kicking and screaming to the table, but at the end of the day the decision to recognise the CWU will be made above their heads by the Central Arbitration Committee which has the powers to impose Collective Bargaining Rights upon Employers and Unions.

CWU Postmasters are in this for the duration however long it takes, but it would be so much quicker, and provide much more clarity and sense of purpose if Postmasters everywhere would join us.

You can find us at http://www.sub-postmasters.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; where you will find lots more information and if you join as a member you can access our flourishing chat forum, that contains PO operational advice and assistance.

I am sorry to have to be the one that bursts the bubble of belief in the NFSP, but the truth of the matter is that they cannot represent you now or in the future, they are in exactly the same position as the CWU are presently, the difference being we in the CWU know where we are going and how to achieve our goal.

Where are the NFSP going?

Mark Baker
National Branch Secretary
Postmasters Branch
CWU

[subbie]

Postmaster News letter

[panasonic222]

Mark,
Weren't you on the NFSP Executive comittee a few years back? Did you raise your concerns about the facility payment then ? and if so what was the response from the NFSP?

Why did you leave the NFSP would it not better suit everyone's interests if you had have stayed and fought to change things instead of casusing a rift between subpostmasters? Strength needs solidarity. I'm concerned that by splitting postmasters into two associations everyones position will be weakened.

[subbie]

Whoever you are, I will pass your questions on to Mr Baker

Subbie

[panasonic222]

Whoever you are, I will pass your questions on to Mr Baker

Subbie

whoever you are i'll wait for Mark's response

[subbie]

The reply, which I have copied to you.

" I did indeed serve on the NFSP Executive for 12 years, I had no reason to question the budget line heading marked down as Union facilities grant received, as I believed that the NFSP was properly recognised by POL for collective bargaining. I never managed to get onto the Negotiating Committee so was never privy to the interchange that took place between POL and the NFSP NC, which may have provided some clues as to how effective negotiations were.
I was however rarely satisfied with the performance of the NC and regularly voted against their proposals, as being inadequate.
I made the FOI request as I was looking for information on the NFSP/POL collective bargaining agreement, it came as quite a shock to receive POL's answer that there wasn't any such agreement, as POL did not recognise the NFSP for this purpose.

Fighting back from inside the NFSP is not possible, people who complain or answer back are disciplined, and you may remember that Mr Singh and myself were suspended from our rightful places on the Executive, and then put forward for expulsion, Mr Singh was expelled, I resigned rather than give them the satisfaction. Our crime was that we questioned the support the NFSP were undemocratically giving to the Postal Services Bill and Network Transformation.

Since our departure a cloak of frenzied control has descended upon the NFSP members, with entire Regional Councils being "sacked" and National Rules being changed to oust any dissenter . In my opinion the NFSP is no longer a democratic place, so given this climate I am sure your correspondent will see that fighting back from within is not possible, it was easier to break away and create a fresh start for Postmaster representation. If its solidarity for Postmasters that is being called for, then join us in the CWU.
Now the NFSP have been outed, there is no future for them as a representative organisation for Postmasters.

We need to rebuild."


Hope that answers your questions Panasonic
Subbie

[cdpete2004]

I read the bumph sent out by the CWU. all very interesting, heart rending stuff. All the platitudes are there, but no action. We are one year into this Termination Plan, over 1000 contracts have been signed, Subpostmasters committed to either leave the network on appaling terms or converting to a 'local' model, while POL and NFSP urge them to take what they can while it's on offer. And today the announcement of new banking services and a bank account at the Post Office. How could any of these 1000 have had any chance of assessing their future viability and making an informed deciscion when such an important development which should have been factored in was witheld from them ? In public listed companies, sensitive news doesn't have to be issued immediately before all the facts are known and details given, but they do SUSPEND dealing in that company's shares 'pending an announcement'. This is exactly what POL should have done 3, if not more, months ago.

And what will we get from CWU 'oh, isn't it awful...that's such a shame...collective bargaining, that's what we need'. NO you need to take legal action NOW, get a court injunction to FREEZE this termination plan and cancel any signed, but uncompleted contracts. Will CWU do this ? If they take this first step, the I'll join, I'm sure thouasnds will join and fight a class action lawsuit against POL and their destruction of Subpostmasters investments.