Bridgwater postal workers vote to strike

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisisthewestcountry.co.uk/n ... to_strike/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

POSTAL workers in Bridgwater locked in a dispute with bosses over working agreements and staffing levels, have voted to take part in a series of strikes.

Some 65 workers at the Royal Mail depot in Friarn Street voted for strike action, with 17 against – representing a 79.3% ‘yes’ vote.

The Communication Workers Union says some of its members also believe they are owed £800 each for changes already made in the workplace.

Area official for the CWU, David Wilshire, said: "This vote for strike action shows that feelings are running high in the depot.

"People feel they have got to take a stand if nothing is done."

A meeting took place this morning, to agree the dates of the strike action.

Afterwards, Mr Wilshire told the Mercury the CWU had been asked to call a series of stoppages.

He would not say exactly how many or when, but the first of these strikes is expected to take place in July.

He added: "The door is still open for talks but the ball is in Royal Mail's court and there's only a limited amount of time left."



Rhys Jones, a spokesman for Royal Mail said: “It is disappointing that our colleagues have voted in favour of industrial action, however we remain hopeful that the issues can be resolved locally.

"Royal Mail is fully committed to the process of trying to resolve concerns of postal workers based in Bridgwater by continuing to follow the national jointly agreed framework with the Communication Workers Union. "We have made significant progress in recent months, thanks to the efforts of our colleagues and have worked hard to engage the CWU locally.

"We urge the CWU not to call our people out on strike action which can only hurt our customers and damage our drive to build a strong and sustainable future for Royal Mail.”

[UnhappyGremlin]

Wish them all good luck, and hope that the issues are resolved to the postie's satisfaction.

Think this type of thing will be happening with more and more frequency.

[Loopylau89]

good on bridgwater

[martin the green]

good on you Bridgewater don't let the bar stewards grind you down. it's fine for them to break the agreement but if you stand up for your rights then you are letting down the public. complete and utter rubbish.

[Danelectro]

We urge the CWU not to call our people out on strike action

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Postal workers at Royal Mail's Bridgwater depot ready to take strike action

http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/story-1 ... z2WCAGGVql" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Postal workers in a Somerset town have voted for strike action and more ballots look set to be held in other parts of the county in a dispute which some believe has future privatisation of Royal Mail at its heart.

Members of the Communication Workers’ Union based at Royal Mail’s Bridgwater depot say they are each owed £800 for changes in the workplace that have already been implemented. They say the ballot was conducted against a backdrop of alleged bullying and harassment by managers, breaking of local work agreements and unagreed staffing levels.
​
Postal workers in Bridgwater vote overwhelmingly for strike action yesterday in a dispute over changes in the workplace, the breaking of local work agreements and unagreed staffing levels

Some full-time staff who have left have been replaced by part-timers who are not expected to undertake all the same tasks, putting full-timers under more pressure sorting mail for delivery.

Workers fear the moves are part of a plan to save money to make Royal Mail more attractive to private investors.

Union representative Dave Chapple said yesterday: “As far as Bridgwater is concerned we all feel that this is linked to the big government decision about whether to privatise Royal Mail.”

Last month Royal Mail unveiled a big jump in profits to £440 million, more than double the £152 million in 2012, and Business Secretary Vince Cable said there is “no alternative” to privatising the service which he said faces a “fundamental threat” from email and must be reformed.

About 10 per cent of shares would go to the workforce.

The union will decide at national level on Monday whether strike action should take place, and if it gives the go-ahead it must give seven days’ notice to Royal Mail. It is understood that a series of strikes of varying lengths could be called.

CWU area official David Wilshire said: “This vote for strike action shows that feelings are running high in the depot.” The union has 115 members at the depot. Sixty-five voted in favour of a strike with 17 against, a 79.3 per cent Yes vote.

Rhys Jones, a spokesman for Royal Mail, said: “It is disappointing that our colleagues have voted in favour of industrial action, however we remain hopeful that the issues can be resolved locally.”

Mail from the depot is delivered to the TA5, TA6 and TA7 postcode areas in Bridgwater.

Meanwhile, new protections against the removal of post boxes in rural areas like the West Country have been introduced by the industry regulator.

Ofcom already requires Royal Mail to provide a sufficient number of post boxes in appropriate locations to meet the needs of UK postal users.

Before yesterday’s announcement, the previous criteria applied in only 61 of the 121 postcode areas in the UK.

Following consultation, Ofcom has now increased regulatory protection for post boxes by introducing new criteria that will apply nationwide for the first time.

The new rules now specify that there must be a post box within half-a-mile of at least 98 per cent of homes. For the remaining 2 per cent, Royal Mail must provide sufficient post boxes or other means of access to the universal service such as collection on delivery.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Itv viddeo at http://www.itv.com/news/west/update/201 ... ee-strike/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Full statement from Royal Mail http://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/upd ... oyal-mail/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is disappointing that our colleagues have voted in favour of industrial action, however we remain hopeful that the issues can be resolved locally.

Royal Mail is fully committed to the process of trying to resolve concerns of postal workers based in Bridgwater by continuing to follow the national jointly agreed framework with the Communication Workers Union (CWU).

– ROYAL MAIL SPOKESPERSON
We have made significant progress in recent months, thanks to the efforts of our colleagues and have worked hard to engage the CWU locally.

We urge the CWU not to call our people out on strike action which can only hurt our customers and damage our drive to build a strong and sustainable future for Royal Mail.

– ROYAL MAIL SPOKESPERSON

[Red Robbo]

After watching the video Bridgwater have two of the best qualified CWU reps behind them