Union ballot not a strike threat, says Royal Mail

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thegappartnership.com/negoti ... -mail.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A trade union ballot against two proposals for the future of Royal Mail is not a vote for a strike, the company has said.


Trade union Unite has delivered a blow to the Royal Mail's modernisation plans by voting against two key planks of its future vision, but as yet no strike action has been threatened.

The vote by members of the union - representing 5,660 of the Royal Mail's 8,300 managers - saw 78 per cent rejecting the company's pension plan proposals, while 71 per cent were against privatising the company.

Unite officer for Royal Mail managers Brian Scott said the company should drop both proposals, remarking: "We will be making both the Post Office and Royal Mail well aware of our members’ views on this and will do so before the end of the consultation on August 25th."

He did not, however, mention the possibility of strike negotiations and in its response to the vote, Royal Mail emphasised: "This is a consultative ballot by Unite to understand its members’ views on two issues, not a ballot for industrial action."

The key now for Royal Mail is to find a new deal that will be acceptable to the Unite workers, with the firm stating that it is committed to talking with the union about "a range of issues". Failure might mean Unite does start to contemplate industrial action.

Avoiding a situation in which the managers do end up considering a strike is something that may be in Royal Mail's interest for more than one reason. Quite apart from the disruption and loss of revenue it would bring, strike action by Unite members would mean the employer effectively battling on two fronts, given that the Communication Workers Union (CWU) is already holding a series of walkouts over closures, job cuts and back pay issues in the network of 372 crown post offices.

CWU members voted for more strike action last week, which will take place over the August bank holiday weekend of August 24th to 26th. Deputy general secretary Dave Ward accused management of a "slash and burn approach" to the future and said staff are "prepared to take prolonged industrial action to defend jobs and services and win a fair pay rise".

[fishtank]

The key now for Royal Mail is to find a new deal that will be acceptable to the Unite workers

And that is exactly what will happen.
A deal for managers to soften the blow,maybe consolidate the bonus into their pension or something like that and suddenly it's them against us again,status quo reinstated.

[Red Robbo]

The last time that lot went on strike was about 30 - 40 years ago, the collections, sorting and deliverys were still completed without their hindrance .
Postmasters signed the dockets for overtime , you just shoved it under their nose and they signed it without hesitation, one day's strike action and they capitulated.

[Pat Ostman]

Difficult to strike when said striking proves how worthless most line managers are.

I believe it's that catch 22 book thing scenario ;)

[noggin1969]

They'd not get a mandate for strike action ,

[barbario]

The key now for Royal Mail is to find a new deal that will be acceptable to the Unite workers

And that is exactly what will happen.
A deal for managers to soften the blow,maybe consolidate the bonus into their pension or something like that and suddenly it's them against us again,status quo reinstated.

Yes,and three years after being privatised , face losing their jobs like us.

[t-c]

And if they striked, I'd not cross their picket line, as my conscience and being a union rep/member would prevent me doing so.

Managers, you bring your strike action on, I wont cross your picket-even if you crossed ours, and KNOW who is the better man for his action!

[mdm]

And if they striked, I'd not cross their picket line, as my conscience and being a union rep/member would prevent me doing so.

Managers, you bring your strike action on, I wont cross your picket-even if you crossed ours, and KNOW who is the better man for his action!

The hell with that! I'd cross their picket line in a blink of an eye and with a big smile on my face. I deal with that lot every day and I know how they treat people and I KNOW I'm a better man than them! I don't know anybody with a conscience who wouldn't do the same.

[glenfiddich]

unites picket line is the only one i'll ever cross as every last one of them don't even hesitate to cross ours other unions members have refused to cross ours so i will do the same for them

[clashcityrocker]

The hell with that! I'd cross their picket line in a blink of an eye and with a big smile on my face.

What a sorry, ignorant statement.
Either you support the trade union movement or you don't.
There is a much bigger picture than "but he crossed my picket line first",
We're not in primary school now.

[Lounge Lizard]

"The vote by members of the union - representing 5,660 of the Royal Mail's 8,300 managers - saw 78 per cent rejecting the company's pension plan proposals, while 71 per cent were against privatising the company." - so not far short of one-third of managers are in favour of privatising the company turkeys voting for Christmas, without a doubt.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

"The vote by members of the union - representing 5,660 of the Royal Mail's 8,300 managers - saw 78 per cent rejecting the company's pension plan proposals, while 71 per cent were against privatising the company." - so not far short of one-third of managers are in favour of privatising the company turkeys voting for Christmas, without a doubt.

or perhaps the directive they were expecting from their manager, on which way to vote hadn't reached them

So many tiers to go up and down before making a decision. Almost as if they told their Union - "we'll get back to you."

[mdm]

The hell with that! I'd cross their picket line in a blink of an eye and with a big smile on my face.

What a sorry, ignorant statement.
Either you support the trade union movement or you don't.
There is a much bigger picture than "but he crossed my picket line first",
We're not in primary school now.

Well what other members in a "Trade Union" would bully, lie and harass you to get the job done!!!! Do you seriously think managers believe in the trade union movement!! I think you need to get out more. As I said bring Unite's strike on and watch me cross that line! School is now over.

[fishtank]

As I said bring Unite's strike on

There's more chance of me proving the Riemann hypothesis than managers ever hitting the gate so it's not really worth arguing about.

[clashcityrocker]

As I said bring Unite's strike on

so it's not really worth arguing about.

It's always worth arguing about.
Right thoughts, right words, right actions.