LTB 525/13 National Talks

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Letter to Branches




No. 525/13
Ref: 21003
Date: 29th July 2013

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleague

National Talks

The Union and Royal Mail met for three days of detailed talks last week to discuss pay, the company’s future strategy, pensions and the legal protections the Union is seeking for CWU members in the event that the company were to be privatised. The talks were useful for each party to gain a better understanding of respective positions.

In particular, the Union again impressed upon the company that if we cannot find a resolution to all outstanding issues then a National Industrial Action Ballot is inevitable.

On pay, the Union has again reinforced the reasons why the company’s offer was rejected and that we are seeking a straightforward above inflation deal with no linkage to pensions. The CWU again told the company that there is no prospect of the Union agreeing the pension proposal currently out to consultation.

For their part, the company continue to make the case that for them to settle pay, they will also need to know that all outstanding issues are resolved with the prospect of industrial stability going forward. Whilst the company did not make a new pay offer, they did confirm that they will be making a revised and improved pay offer in the near future.

Although the company are making it clear that they are keen to prioritise negotiations, these are very difficult talks given the complexity of the issues involved and how the future is directly linked to the outcome of Government policy.

Further talks are planned next week following the CWU National Policy Forum.

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

Yours sincerely



Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)

[pants123]

Whilst the company did not make a new pay offer, they did confirm that they will be making a revised and improved pay offer in the near future.

can someone please explain how can they make any kind of pay offer??
when the BT 2010 lump sum payments haven't been paid yet.... still owed £200 from 3 years ago... i just cannot trust Royal Mail at all.... when they just lie all the time..

[fishtank]

There are some worrying signs of backtracking on behalf of the union.
In the reasons for rejection put out by the union on the 1st July 2013 it stated...

- The pay element in isolation does not meet with the terms of CWU policy for an above-inflation, no strings attached pay rise

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/cwu-rej ... posal.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

By the time this made it to the first LTB it had been edited removing the reference to "no strings".

The pay element in isolation does not meet with the terms of CWU policy and we will be seeking a higher, more straightforward settlement.

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... on#p572717" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Now any reference to CWU policy has also been removed.

On pay, the Union has again reinforced the reasons why the company’s offer was rejected and that we are seeking a straightforward above inflation deal with no linkage to pensions.

So we've moved from "no strings" at all to "no link to pension",other strings may be acceptable and to hell with CWU policy?

[blisterfeet]

For their part, the company continue to make the case that for them to settle pay, they will also need to know that all outstanding issues are resolved with the prospect of industrial stability going forward

Are these the same issues that have been going on since 2010? i.e. bullying and harassment? sounds to me as if they know there are still issues and are you using those issues that they haven't been keen on fixing as a reason not to agree a pay deal. What will come first, privatisation or a pay deal?

[worktotime]

stop talks its not all about money , tell em to fxxk off and ballot for ia , that will hit these idiots hard . all for it.

[edwardo]

cwu and management are both out to feather there own nest I don t think they have a clue to be honest

[borgpicard]

cwu and management are both out to feather there own nest I don t think they have a clue to be honest

[Martin Walsh]

I think fish your reading too much into the LTB , all members will get a booklet on Wednesday explaining the unions postion along with a postcard so members can take part in showing they do not support pension changes as part of the consultation.

[dvbuk55]

I think fish your reading too much into the LTB , all members will get a booklet on Wednesday explaining the unions postion along with a postcard so members can take part in showing they do not support pension changes as part of the consultation.

Well why don't they just "de-couple" the pension issue altogether to be put to a separate ballot at some point in the future? It wouldn't be the first time would it - but hey ho any deal will be a century buster no doubt.

If I was a leeetle bit cynical I think I detect another "interim" agreement on the way.

[JaneM]

I think Fish is being his normal perceptive self.

[UnhappyGremlin]

I think fish your reading too much into the LTB , all members will get a booklet on Wednesday explaining the unions postion along with a postcard so members can take part in showing they do not support pension changes as part of the consultation.

Well why don't they just "de-couple" the pension issue altogether to be put to a separate ballot at some point in the future? It wouldn't be the first time would it - but hey ho any deal will be a century buster no doubt.

If I was a leeetle bit cynical I think I detect another "interim" agreement on the way.

I don't think they will de-couple the pensions as they know it will end up in a ballot for IA, before Christmas.
I would and will walk out to try and prevent the latest round of thievery by RM.