Why doesn't the C.W.U offer alternatives to strike action?

[dvbuk55]

About 20 years ago we had an overtime ban in our office which lasted for precisely 1 day. 5 or 6 years on we had a cars on delivery ban which didn't even last the day - here's muggins stood waiting for a bus whilst cars loaded to the gunwales was driving past me. Needless to say I wasn't waiting for a bus the following day - and there's the problem because it is impossible to police non-strike action.

With a strike you have pickets and those who break the strike are known. The pickets, at least in my experience are good natured and non-threatening BUT they are definitely a deterrent to stop people going in.

[borgpicard]

if we did the job properly the place would fall apart.

[soltan]

People really don't help themselves, more people that "do the job properly" gives a better picture that the parameters of georoute aren't achievable (unless corners are cut). Far too many have an I'm alright jack attitude and keep their head down to stay off the managers radar. Wake up people you are just making the job harder year on year stand up and be counted ffs.

[Lincox]

Changing peoples attitude is about as impossible as Maggie Thatcher being the next Prime Minister. The gate is the only feasible method and not one day every fortnight.

[Martin Walsh]

Working to rule or doing the job properly can be easy undermined by managers either taking indivduals off of pay for failing to work in line with their contracts of employment or suspending them. Once this happens the unit even stands together and walks out unofficially or they betray those who have been taken off of pay or suspended by returning to normal working.

This is a tactic Royal Mail often use when a backlog builds up from offices doing the job normally or working to rule. In 2007 50 members of Streatham delivery office were taken off pay for 5 days before the office and Branch walked out. The CWU assited the indivduals involved by supporting industrial tribunals which they won but that was 11 months later.

In my experience the only action postal workers can take is strike action anything else Royal Mail know how to stop it and that includes working to rule or doing the job properly.

If it is worth fighting for then its Worth sacrificing your pay to win it !

[DirtyHarry]

I've sacrificed quite a sizeable chunk of pay in the past, and the CWU have gone right ahead and made me look an absolute fool for having done so.

Take the last two big strikes we had. Both times myself and many other colleagues lost shed loads of cash. What did we get in return?

Better working conditions? No.

Better pension? No.

Above inflation pay-rise? No.

One thing I do have now though, is a job I now hate and detest with a passion.

If the self-serving chumps at the top table in the CWU, think they will lead me by the nose again, for sweet fa, they have another think coming I'm afraid.

[dazzlin72]

Seconded Dirty Harry.

[UnhappyGremlin]

Seconded Dirty Harry.

The problem with that is, if we don't fight, and RM see we won't fight, they will rough shod over us, and things will be way worse in the future.
I agree that the union caved in basically 2 times, once when we had RM over a barrel.
We all have to remember, while the union can and has made big mistakes, I think it will be a bigger one for us if we just refuse to fight, as that will only result in RM being given carte blanche to do as they please, and pay/working conditions and general T&C's will be obliterated.

[BarnsleyLackey]

I was hoping someone from the union could provide an answer as to whether or not it was illegal now to work to rule.

No it's just another form of industrial action therefore it requires a ballot.
A work to rule is not to be confused with "doing the job properly" which should be everybody's default position.

I don't want to sound like a dummy, but what is the difference? Doesn't just doing the job properly have the same effect?

[fishtank]

I don't want to sound like a dummy, but what is the difference? Doesn't just doing the job properly have the same effect?

A work to rule is a very difficult thing to pin down,It more or less means doing the bare minimum to comply with your contract,taking health&safety to a ridiculous level and basically doing everything in your power to slow the operation down,that's why it's sometimes called a go slow.
You have to really know what you're doing or you can easily end up suspended or even dismissed.
It's often accompanied by an overtime ban which a lot of people confuse it with.
The legal definition is....Give the rules a meaning which no reasonable man could give them and work to that.

Doing the job properly just means doing the job properly,which all things being equal and workloads being achievable shouldn't slow the operation down if the operation is planned for people doing the job properly.
In Royal Mail it does but that's just because our managers and planners are idiots.

[DirtyHarry]

Seconded Dirty Harry.

The problem with that is, if we don't fight, and RM see we won't fight, they will rough shod over us, and things will be way worse in the future.
I agree that the union caved in basically 2 times, once when we had RM over a barrel.
We all have to remember, while the union can and has made big mistakes, I think it will be a bigger one for us if we just refuse to fight, as that will only result in RM being given carte blanche to do as they please, and pay/working conditions and general T&C's will be obliterated.

To be honest, there are two things that will have me down tools without a moment's thought.
1. To get an above inflation payrise, and by above-inflation, I mean by at least 3%.

2. Any attempt by management to cut existing pay.

As for privatisation, DSA, the CWU sold us out on those two issues when their Tory chums, New Labour, were in power.

[Edward Hunter]

Got to say, ive worked with dirty Harry and that man, would have walked out at the drop of a hat to support the CWU. Its a shame to hear him say he wont support the union, but i get where hes comming from. The last 2 big strikes cost me plenty of money and the end results werent great. I also think our overall position is weaker now, with more part timers now. Personally think the best way of striking would be alternative days.One day mail centers, next delivery.Might bring a quicker conclusion.

[janitor]

What has part timers got to do with it,the last two strikes we had ,the the part timers where all out,the only ones that worked the DOMs arse licker,and the two running men.

[UnhappyGremlin]

Seconded Dirty Harry.

The problem with that is, if we don't fight, and RM see we won't fight, they will rough shod over us, and things will be way worse in the future.
I agree that the union caved in basically 2 times, once when we had RM over a barrel.
We all have to remember, while the union can and has made big mistakes, I think it will be a bigger one for us if we just refuse to fight, as that will only result in RM being given carte blanche to do as they please, and pay/working conditions and general T&C's will be obliterated.

To be honest, there are two things that will have me down tools without a moment's thought.
1. To get an above inflation payrise, and by above-inflation, I mean by at least 3%.

2. Any attempt by management to cut existing pay.

As for privatisation, DSA, the CWU sold us out on those two issues when their Tory chums, New Labour, were in power.

Good to know. I fully expect at least one of those possibilities to be placed in front of us within the next 6 months.

I also think the union knows this is the case with many, and that is the real reason why they are lumping everything into one fight, as that is how they will get the support from the members that they need.

The CWU want a 2 year deal, so that would mean a 6.5 to 7% rise in that time, and I can't see RM agreeing to that, not unless the list of strings was rather vast.
I wouldn't rule out the possibility that RM will delay a pay deal until the completion of Privatisation, at which point I suspect management may freeze pay until further notice.

I understand how you feel about the unions past performance, many agree with you, including me, but not supporting them would be suicidal. Sad but true.

[DirtyHarry]

Got to say, ive worked with dirty Harry and that man, would have walked out at the drop of a hat to support the CWU. Its a shame to hear him say he wont support the union, but i get where hes comming from. The last 2 big strikes cost me plenty of money and the end results werent great. I also think our overall position is weaker now, with more part timers now. Personally think the best way of striking would be alternative days.One day mail centers, next delivery.Might bring a quicker conclusion.

Hiya, mate.....How's it goin'?