700 Royal Mail workers in Northern Ireland face the sack

[Cut Off King]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 11493.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[arnold cheshire]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 11493.html

what makes them any different from the ones in rural wales or the ones in the english countryside ? please explain

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 11493.html

what makes them any different from the ones in rural wales or the ones in the english countryside ? please explain

The fact that its a Belfast paper and is only circulated in Northern Ireland - so their focus is naturally on the 6 counties.

[arnold cheshire]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 11493.html

what makes them any different from the ones in rural wales or the ones in the english countryside ? please explain

The fact that its a Belfast paper and is only circulated in Northern Ireland - so their focus is naturally on the 6 counties.

it does make you think about rural deliverys though

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 11493.html

what makes them any different from the ones in rural wales or the ones in the english countryside ? please explain

The fact that its a Belfast paper and is only circulated in Northern Ireland - so their focus is naturally on the 6 counties.

it does make you think about rural deliverys though

Their days are numbered after privatisation. Literally

Rural Day 1, Rural Day 2 etc

[UnhappyGremlin]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 11493.html

what makes them any different from the ones in rural wales or the ones in the english countryside ? please explain

The fact that its a Belfast paper and is only circulated in Northern Ireland - so their focus is naturally on the 6 counties.

it does make you think about rural deliverys though

Their days are numbered after privatisation. Literally

Rural Day 1, Rural Day 2 etc

That's not the case.
The Government, Vince Cable and the RM's current board have stated, quite definitively, that this will not happen, and it is just a scaremongering tactic being used by the union, in a feeble attempt to stave of privatisation. All current services and service levels to all areas are to be maintained as they are. It's 'enshrined in law', and it's absolutely impossible to change it.......

[Brain Fury]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 11493.html

what makes them any different from the ones in rural wales or the ones in the english countryside ? please explain

The fact that its a Belfast paper and is only circulated in Northern Ireland - so their focus is naturally on the 6 counties.

it does make you think about rural deliverys though

Their days are numbered after privatisation. Literally

Rural Day 1, Rural Day 2 etc

That's not the case.
The Government, Vince Cable and the RM's current board have stated, quite definitively, that this will not happen, and it is just a scaremongering tactic being used by the union, in a feeble attempt to stave of privatisation. All current services and service levels to all areas are to be maintained as they are. It's 'enshrined in law', and it's absolutely impossible to change it.......

It is impossible for Royal Mail to unilaterally change it. Any change would have to be by act of parliament. Not saying that wouldn't happen but it would be a government decision to do so. Not exactly a vote winner.

[fishtank]

It is impossible for Royal Mail to unilaterally change it. Any change would have to be by act of parliament. Not saying that wouldn't happen but it would be a government decision to do so. Not exactly a vote winner.

Royal Mail goes to Ofcom citing unaffordability as endangering the entire USO.
Ofcom's remit is to protect the "overall" sustainability of the USO at all costs,not it's component parts.
Ofcom reports to parliament that the only way to protect the overall USO is to allow RM to reduce it's obligations.
Government is faced with the choice of agreeing to these demands or being blamed for the entire collapse of the USO.
Not exactly a vote winner.

[UnhappyGremlin]

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... 11493.html

what makes them any different from the ones in rural wales or the ones in the english countryside ? please explain

The fact that its a Belfast paper and is only circulated in Northern Ireland - so their focus is naturally on the 6 counties.

it does make you think about rural deliverys though

Their days are numbered after privatisation. Literally

Rural Day 1, Rural Day 2 etc

That's not the case.
The Government, Vince Cable and the RM's current board have stated, quite definitively, that this will not happen, and it is just a scaremongering tactic being used by the union, in a feeble attempt to stave of privatisation. All current services and service levels to all areas are to be maintained as they are. It's 'enshrined in law', and it's absolutely impossible to change it.......

It is impossible for Royal Mail to unilaterally change it. Any change would have to be by act of parliament. Not saying that wouldn't happen but it would be a government decision to do so. Not exactly a vote winner.

I know.
I am merely pointing out that both the Government and RM are basically presenting the current state of the USO as being permanent. It isn't.
There would be a process in the manner Fishtank has explained.
It wouldn't take long for it to happen either. I think within 5 years, tops.
And it won't be much longer after that the bits any 'new' privatised company decided it didn't want, were re-nationalised or heavily subsidised by the tax payers.
The USO 'licence', or however it is phrased and attached to RM, is periodically renewable, maybe every 5 years or so, next due in 2015 I think. They may not do it that soon, but the time after, they will definitely seek a reduction in terms/conditions, to the detriment of rural areas, as well as others.

I am not an idiot. Nothing with regards to RM and/or the USO can be changed overnight, it takes time and planning.
Look at privatisation. They have been planning it for 20 years or so. It's been difficult, it's been defeated, repeatedly. But they decided it was time, they couldn't wait any longer. They put a 5 year plan in effect about 4 years ago, to be completed by the end of 2013/14 financial year. I've got no doubt that, along the way, decisions and preparations have been taken and made to reduce the USO terms/conditions and for cuts in that regard and for profitability purposes already set out.

The basic point I was making, is that both the company and the Government/it's representatives (Vince Cable/Michael Fallon) are making claims we all know are bullshit. They are promising to sustain services as they are, by repeating the 'enshrined in law' statement, every 5 minutes. Presumably to prevent strikes and to stop public opinion going against them, and also to persuade any MP's that aren't happy with the situation to go along with it. They, in my opinion, are saying to posties and the public that nothing will change as it's law. But laws can and do change, all the time.

At no point did I say the RM can change this overnight, yet you jumped to a conclusion. I have 'A' levels in Economics, Gov't & Politics and History, I know how it works.

[daveyeff]

basically,, its a done deal then. we're privatised.

[UnhappyGremlin]

basically,, its a done deal then. we're privatised.

I don't think so. Not yet.
However, it does look inevitable. But then, that's the way it has been presented all along.
There is a small chance it can be fought off, but not if we all give in before the fight stars in earnest.