LTB 418/13 - CWU Consultative Ballot

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches









Dear Colleague

CWU Consultative Ballot

We are pleased to announce the result of the Consultative Ballot as follows:-
 
Q1: Do you oppose the privatisation of Royal Mail?       YES –96%
Q2: Do you support the boycott of competitors' mail?  YES – 92%
Q3: Do you support the CWU Pay claim? YES –99%
Q4: Do you support the policy of non-cooperation?       YES –92%

The turnout for the ballot was 74%.

The full results as counted, verified and confirmed by the Independent Scrutineer, Popularis Limited, are attached.

We would like to thank all CWU Branches, Representatives and members for their efforts in undertaking the Consultative Ballot and returning an overwhelming vote in favour of CWU policy.

CWU members have massively rejected Government and associated company plans to privatise Royal Mail. Furthermore, by supporting overall CWU policy our members have shown their determination to protect and promote their jobs, terms and conditions and the future of UK Postal Services.

In direct response to our Consultative Ballot we can also advise of two important developments from Royal Mail. Firstly, the company has initiated at 1400 hours today legal proceedings against the Union in relation to the Boycott. The Union is consulting with our Lawyers on this matter. Secondly, the company has confirmed in writing an offer for a 3 year Pay Deal linked to previously rejected pension proposals and other associated conditions over the future. The company has insisted this is a closed offer for 7 days which means we cannot divulge any more detail at this stage.

Although an outline of the offer was shared verbally with the Postal Executive yesterday, we agreed that given the company’s pending legal challenge, time should be set aside at a future meeting to fully consider the proposal.




In terms of our next steps, the Postal Executive will meet in the near future to consider the following:

The company’s written proposal on pay and other associated conditions.

How we take forward the views expressed in the Consultative Ballot.

Where we are on all outstanding national talks and the positions we intend to take to a Special Conference in the very near future.

How we now engage Parcelforce members in their own Consultative Ballot and plans in support of overall Union policy.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that the Consultative Ballot has been an extremely successful exercise in demonstrating the strength of feeling and this will boost the fight against privatisation and unfair competition. Furthermore it will strengthen our ongoing negotiations with the company and Government.

We have also attached to this LTB a copy of today’s press release and a members’ letter that should be immediately distributed in the workplace. Further information on all these issues contained in this LTB will follow in due course.

Any enquiries on the above LTB should be addressed to the DGS (P) Dept.

Yours sincerely



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

Mr D Ward
Deputy General Secretary
CWU
150 The Broadway
Wimbledon
London SW19 1RX



18th June 2013


Dear Mr Ward

CWU BALLOT 2013
CONSULTATIVE BALLOT – ROYAL MAIL


Please find attached the result for the consultative ballot, Royal Mail.

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely




Anne Hock
Independent Scrutineer



















COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

CWU CONSULTATIVE BALLOT
ROYAL MAIL

Result of ballot:

Q1. Do you oppose the privatisation of Royal Mail?

YES
79077
96%
NO
3665

Spoilt ballot papers
36

No response/blank
212

Total ballot papers received
82990
74%
Total ballot papers dispatched
112414



Q2. Do you support the boycott of competitors’ mail?

YES
75662
92%
NO
6996

Spoilt ballot papers
34

No response/blank
338

Total ballot papers received
82990
74%
Total ballot papers dispatched
112414



Q3. Do you support the CWU pay claim?

YES
81604
99%
NO
1117

Spoilt ballot papers
27

No response/blank
242

Total ballot papers received
82990
74%
Total ballot papers dispatched
112414



Q4. Do you support the policy of non cooperation with Royal Mail?

YES
75598
92%
NO
6874

Spoilt ballot papers
31

No response/blank
487

Total ballot papers received
82990
74%
Total ballot papers dispatched
112414





I am satisfied that there are no reasonable grounds for believing that there was any contravention of a requirement imposed by or under any enactment in relation to the ballot.

I am satisfied that the arrangements made with respect to the production, storage, distribution, return or other handling of the voting papers used in the ballot, and the arrangements for the counting of the votes, included all such security arrangements as were reasonably practicable for the purpose of minimising the risk that any unfairness or malpractice might occur.

I am satisfied that I have been able to carry out the functions conferred on me without any interference from the trade union or any of its members, officials or employees.


Certified by:

Anne Hock
Independent Scrutineer

18th June 2013



Dear Colleague

The Consultative Ballot

We are pleased to announce the results of the Consultative Ballot as confirmed by the Independent Scrutineer Popularis Limited. The results are:

Q1: Do you oppose the privatisation of Royal Mail?       YES – 96%
Q2: Do you support the boycott of competitors' mail?   YES – 92%
Q3: Do you support the CWU Pay claim? YES – 99%
Q4: Do you support the policy of non-cooperation?       YES – 92%

The turnout for the ballot was 74%.

We want to thank CWU Members for returning such a massive vote in favour of CWU policy. This vote will be a major boost in the fight against privatisation and unfair competition. It will also strengthen our hand in ongoing negotiations with the company and Government.

In direct response Royal Mail has done two things. Firstly, they have initiated legal proceedings over the Boycott and this is currently being dealt with by our Lawyers. Secondly, they made their first written offer covering a 3 year pay deal linked to various conditions, including pensions. They are insisting this offer cannot be made public for seven days.

What happens next?

The Postal Executive will meet in the near future to agree next steps. We will fully consider Royal Mail’s offer, how we take the Consultative Ballot forward, and where we are in all outstanding National talks. Further information will follow.

Once again thank you for your support.

Yours sincerely



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


19th June 2013

For immediate release

Ballot result – postal workers say no to privatisation

The Communication Workers Union can today (Wednesday) announce the result of its consultative ballot which closed yesterday. Ballot papers were distributed to 112,000 postal workers in Royal Mail (not the Post Office or Parcelforce) asking four questions.

The results, on a 74% turnout, are:

Q1: Do you oppose the privatisation of Royal Mail? YES 96%
Q2: Do you support the boycott of competitors' mail? YES 92%
Q3: Do you support the CWU Pay claim? YES 99%
Q4: Do you support the policy of non-cooperation? YES 92%

Ballot papers were collected, counted and verified by independent scrutineer Popularis.


Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: “No-one has yet asked postal workers what they think about privatisation. Today postal workers have spoken loud and clear with a massive 96% roundly rejecting the government’s plans to privatise Royal Mail. The workforce does not support the government or Royal Mail on selling the company. This company is flourishing in public ownership as the recent doubling of profits proves. It’s becoming less clear what this policy is about. Why privatise this profitable company?

“Today’s ballot result shows we have resounding support for all the union’s policies. This is a strong message to take forward action in each area to improve the working lives of postal workers and protect the services and jobs which customers and communities value.”


Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: “This ballot result is a damning rejection of the tired old government privatisation policy and the actions of the Royal Mail board in support of this. Postal workers have worked incredibly hard to turn the fortunes of the company around. Royal Mail is not a financial basket case and they know privatisation is only benefitting vested interests.

“Postal workers are not going to sacrifice their souls for a so-called 10% stake when they know their jobs, pensions and conditions are once again under threat.

“The government and Royal Mail have completely alienated the workforce and it’s time for serious negotiations to find a solution that really can align the interests of workers, customers and the company. If not, then prolonged industrial conflict is inevitable.

“On a mail boycott, Royal Mail workers have shown they understand the threat to the universal service from unfair competition and the race to the bottom on their own terms and conditions. The way competition is being introduced does not benefit customers, small businesses or postal workers in whatever company they work for.”




CWU response to the ballot result in more detail:

Q1: Privatisation
Royal Mail isn’t a financial basket case; it’s not a burden on the state and doesn’t take any grants. Selling the company only benefits those with vested interests. Privatisation is about taking profits out and not reinvesting in the service. Royal Mail is successful in public ownership and is modernising. There is no need for privatisation to secure access to capital. Network Rail – also a public body – has borrowed billions on private capital markets without it adding to the public debt or causing the government to “choose between funding hospital and schools” or the business, as it has claimed in respect to Royal Mail.

Q2: Mail boycott
Ofcom and Royal Mail have no strategy for dealing with the threat that end to end competition poses to the universal service.

The government and Ofcom need to act to address the rigged competition system which threatens to destabilise the universal service. This is made more urgent given TNT’s announcement yesterday that they are expanding their street deliveries in SW London and intend to create 20,000 jobs. They will only do this by paying low wages and by pulling work from Royal Mail which will destabilise the company’s ability to deliver post to all addresses – rural and urban. TNT is being allowed to deliver what they want, where they want and when they want with no quality of service standards. They are being allowed to get away with this by a government and regulator which either don’t understand or don’t care about the postal service.

Q3: Pay
A pay rise for Royal Mail workers was due on the 1st April 2013. The CWU has set out clearly what we want - an above-inflation two-year pay deal to ensure the workforce is fairly rewarded for their hard work in contributing to the success of the business, which includes recent profits in excess of £400 million.

Q4: Workplace issues and non-cooperation
The workforce has supported difficult change and over the last three years has successfully turned the fortunes of the company around. This has been with, not despite of, the workforce. Now, because of privatisation, we’re seeing unrealistic budget cuts which are putting too much pressure on postal workers in many workplaces.


Next steps
The union’s postal executive will meet in the near future to consider how we take all these issues forward.

-ends-


For more information please contact:

Sian Jones, Press Officer, tel: 020 8971 7267, mobile: 0779 3314249, e-mail: sbjones@cwu.org

Kevin Slocombe, Head of Communications, mobile: 07714504413, e-mail: kslocombe@cwu.org

http://www.cwu.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; http://www.cwutv.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Twitter: @CWUnews

CWU is the largest trade union in the communications sector with more than 200,000 members working in post, telecoms, mobile and financial services, working as delivery people, drivers, engineers, call centre staff, support services and other roles.

[borders]

impressive on a good turn out ....

[Donk]

Yes impressive. I wonder who the 1117 people are who don't want a pay rise?

[Badwolf]

OK, you got our support again...DON'T LET US DOWN AGAIN!!!

[Shaman Mao]

An excellent result. Maybe RM and the government will finally realise that people have seen through their privatisation scam.

[cinemasaint]

Yes impressive. I wonder who the 1117 people are who don't want a pay rise?

Posties who cover the managers during hols, they've seen the cream and want more

[clashcityrocker]

Yes impressive. I wonder who the 1117 people are who don't want a pay rise?

Posties who cover the managers during hols, they've seen the cream and want more

Or perhaps 1 117 people wanted a much higher pay rise for much longer.
Maybe they didn't support the CWU pay claim because they didn't think it was enough.

[jacksey]

Yes impressive. I wonder who the 1117 people are who don't want a pay rise?

maybe there brain dead

[fishtank]

Yes impressive. I wonder who the 1117 people are who don't want a pay rise?

maybe there brain dead

Maybe they are the World Class Mail pillars.
Perhaps the thought of picking up even more money for making macaroni pictures,teaching people how to walk up stairs and nailing shoes to the wall was too much for their conscience to bear.

[ronpetetrevchris]

OK, you got our support again...DON'T LET US DOWN AGAIN!!!

Just what I was thinking, we have done our part up to this point, please don't let us down!

[General Mannerheim]

LTB 419/13 Consultative Ballot – Update


No. 419/13
Ref:21003
Date: 19th June 2013






To: All Branches with Postal Members




Dear Colleague


Consultative Ballot – Update


We can advise that following a Court hearing today after Royal Mail initiated legal proceedings; the Union has given an undertaking that we would not call Industrial Action over the next 7 days in reliance on the Consultative Ballot. On this basis the full hearing has been adjourned until Friday 28th June. In line with the LTB sent out earlier today the Postal Executive will be meeting in due course to consider all the issues covered in the earlier LTB.


Further information will follow in due course.


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

[superports]

Somebody please tell me the union have expected rm going to court straight away. Somebody please tell me they have a stategy for any possible outcome.
Re the boycott of competitors mail, rm have said "Employees MUST continue to handle ALL mail, deliver....as normal, do the job they are paid to do, as stated in their contracts of employment". Somebody please tell me the union knew this was coming and their lawyers have said its not unlawful to boycott.

[fishtank]

Re the boycott of competitors mail

We'll be boycotting all mail or we will be boycotting no mail.
There will be no inbetween.

[Rommagic]

Give us a pay rise royal mail,don't sell the business.Get more money for the dsa mail.

[superports]

Q2: Do you support the boycott of competitors' mail?  YES – 92%

Boycott competitors mail, not all mail.