RM seeks injunction against postal workers delivery boycott

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail seeks injunction against postal workers’ delivery boycott

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/6235452a-d8cd ... z2WfLdH057" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Royal Mail is seeking a high court injunction against the Communication Workers Union after postal workers voted by a large majority to boycott deliveries of rivals’ mail and oppose privatisation.

In a consultative ballot of 112,000 delivery, sorting office and other Royal Mail staff, 92 per cent voted for a boycott of handling competitors’ mail – which accounts for nearly half the nation’s post. Turnout was 74 per cent.

They also voted by 96 per cent to oppose Royal Mail privatisation, by 92 per cent for non-co-operation with further efficiency measures and by 99 per cent to back the union’s claim for a pay rise without productivity strings.

The government is due to start privatising Royal Mail by next spring, probably through a stock market flotation this autumn. At least 10 per cent of shares will be reserved for staff.

The CWU said its executive would meet soon to decide the next step, but Royal Mail sought to pre-empt a boycott by going straight to the High Court. A hearing was due to begin at 2pm on Wednesday.

The union had indicated it was likely to set an early date to begin a boycott without a formal industrial action ballot. Royal Mail says such action would be unlawful.

Royal Mail is paid fees for delivering presorted post on behalf of companies such as TNT Post and UK Mail. The CWU says rival companies are competing unfairly by “cherry-picking” profitable bulk mail contracts, undermining pay and jobs.

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 per cent roundly rejecting the government’s plans to privatise Royal Mail.”

He added: “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?”

Royal Mail said it noted the outcome of the ballot and was “committed to seeking an agreement with the union on the way forward that equips the business for the future and is fair to our employees”.

But it added: “Royal Mail is required by law to allow access to our network and deliver all the mail we are asked to. Royal Mail is fully committed to the delivery of all of the mail entrusted to us. We have consistently made clear we will take all appropriate steps to prevent any disruption of this.”

TNT Post, the UK’s largest private postal company by turnover, announced today it had created 500 jobs by expanding its end-to-end delivery service into southwest London.

The company said it had created 1,000 jobs in London since April 2012 when it began a trial of its delivery service in west and central London. It plans to create 20,000 jobs across the UK in the next five years.

It said the new workers, many of whom have been long-term unemployed, live locally; 150 are between the ages of 18-24.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

19 June 2013
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

[TrueBlueTerrier]

19 June 2013
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

[ebbzie]

TNT Post, the UK’s largest private postal company by turnover, announced today it had created 500 jobs by expanding its end-to-end delivery service into southwest London.

The company said it had created 1,000 jobs in London since April 2012 when it began a trial of its delivery service in west and central London. It plans to create 20,000 jobs across the UK in the next five years.

It said the new workers, many of whom have been long-term unemployed, live locally; 150 are between the ages of 18-24

So they plan to "create" 20,000 minimum wage jobs, only in major cities , leaving us to deliver to the rural areas at a loss?
How is this allowed? We should be entitled to not help them set up by delivering there mail now , then when they have its goodbye to our jobs. Its a totlal disgrace

[charlie1]

If Royal Mail are successful in blocking this boycott. Maybe we should just proceed straight to ballot for all out industrial action and not deliver any mail.

[pants123]

If Royal Mail are successful in blocking this boycott. Maybe we should just proceed straight to ballot for all out industrial action and not deliver any mail.

WELL SAID IM IN..

[pants123]

i really do wish ROYAL MAIL MANAGEMENT WOULD STOP SAYING........... fair to our employees......... the last 2 years has been hell on earth.. ive seen no fairness from royal mail at all... they need to stop lying...

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Just posted on \fb

JUST 4 Xs IN CONSULTATIVE BALLOT HAVE HIT...
Mahmood Ali 19 June 16:21
JUST 4 Xs IN CONSULTATIVE BALLOT HAVE HIT WHERE IT HURTS
In direct response to our Consultative Ballot we can also advise of two important developments from Royal Mail. Firstly, the company has initiated legal proceedings against the Union in relation to the Boycott. 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, which was not planned anyway. On this basis the full hearing has been adjourned until Friday 28th June.
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. NOW YOU TALKING RM.

[hans solo]

linked i dont like that word one little bit

[aposter]

If there is IA please please lets NOT have stupid pointless rolling days that has no effect on the mail flow whatsoever, all they do is put money in RM;s pocket from saved wages

[Dee Plish]

Happy days. The gloves are off.

Moya, Higson et al: You are in this for some seriously big pay offs. You know that, we know that, the public WILL know that, you will lie about that. Send your lawyers in as you will.

WE are in this fight to save and improve what was the best public service in the World.

The VOTING public are on our side, not yours. The vote hungry politicians will realise that. Lie as you will, you WILL lose.

Happy days. We'll be delivering your giro's before long.

I'm looking forward to the victorious strike days away from Higson's bullying, irrational "World Class" regime to be honest. His business credibility and career will be dead soon. Ha bloody Ha. Off you pop cement boy.

[Wessex]

It's on days like this I wish I was still a postie.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Business minister Michael Fallon said he was “disappointed” CWU members had not backed the privatisation. - See more at: http://www.cityam.com/article/royal-mai ... RSXVS.dpuf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[BingBong]

clearly crapping themselves...

[Donk]

"It says a boycott, which it argues is unlawful, would simply drives customers into the arms of rivals......."

And why would they be driven into the arms of rivals who are also being boycotted?