Strike could spark a "winter of postal discontent"

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Strike could spark a "winter of postal discontent" over government plans

http://www.irvineherald.co.uk/ayrshire- ... -33805858/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

Postal workers have warned that a strike over government plans to sell off Royal Mail could spark a “winter of postal discontent”.

Westminster is set to witness the biggest workers’ rally in a generation as they gather to listen and respond to government plans later this year in September.

But if the UK Government remains resolute over its proposals to privatise the centuries-old institution, a national postal strike could be put in place over the winter months.

Ayrshire delivery rep for the CWU, Tam Dear, said: “For consumers and postal workers the stakes are high. The end of a 400-year-old universal service vital to business and domestic customers and a drive to the bottom in terms and conditions for postal workers.

“Judging by past privatisations the only winners will be the big banks advising on the sale who will bleed the public purse, senior executives who will pocket millions in bonuses and shares and private postal operators.”

He went on: “Let’s be clear that Royal Mail is not a lame duck company in crisis surviving only on public subsidy. In co-operation with the workforce profits have increased by 60 per cent in the last year to over £400 million with automation leading to thousand of job losses.

“Government arguments that Royal Mail competes with heath and education for investment are complete fabrications.”

The latest frustration from postal workers follows the recent announcement by Royal Mail bosses that they are to set aside an extra £90 million for an executive pension scheme, while asking rank-and-file workers to accept reduced retirement benefits

A Royal Mail spokesman said that he was unable to provide details on the pension scheme, but said that privatisation would enable the business to “become more flexible and fleet of foot” in competitive markets.

However, workers have a far less optimistic view of a privatised Royal Mail future.

Earlier this year, 96 per cent voted against privatisation.

Mr Dewar said: “It sticks in the gut of postal workers that all our efforts to make Royal Mail profitable while maintaining a public service is being jeopardised by Government dogma. All public opinion polls reveal that customers want Royal Mail to remain public.
“My union will not let privatisation happen without a fight. If we don’t hear some compromise from the UK Government, it is likely that a ballot for industrial action will go ahead in September.”

For more information on the campaign to save Royal Mail visit http://www.saveourroyalmail.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[UnhappyGremlin]

Nice to see an article that is on our side.
Could do with more, especially on a national level.

[Chelseablue]

Every few days we get propaganda though the door,,free shares free shares , don't go on strike etc,,,

[UnhappyGremlin]

Every few days we get propaganda though the door,,free shares free shares , don't go on strike etc,,,

Like this morning, more crap to RTS.

[Chelseablue]

Yeah more through post this morning,,,are they panicking?

[masterblaster]

Responding to Chelseablue - It is propaganda, today it's about parcels, (and quoting last year obviously), RM see the obvious slow down in parcels due to their stupid size - small - medium bo**ocks, and think they could blame it on the 'Threat of' or should it happen, an actual strike.
I send quite a lot of stuff of various sizes by courier only since the price change, and it is most noticeable that many do the same. You can send fully tracked with decent compensation for less than RM and customers know it.
Who cares about it all anyway, any profit by RM after privatisation will only be of significance to large shareholders and ex MP's (mostly conservative), who will be looking for a nice fat directorship when they get booted out of office.

[Chelseablue]

Royal Mail,firefighters and is it teachers? Imagine the damage if we all stroked at same time

[Thunderthighs]

So, that stuff u get thro the letter box..yer supposed to READ them, not put it in the Multi Fuel burner?

OOOPPS!

[k979aaa]

Royal Mail,firefighters and is it teachers? Imagine the damage if we all stroked at same time

Don't know about stroked? but all up for a strike we all have had enough of this bullshit everyone who work's for this dammed so called government they could not piss or s**t without us all.

[barbario]

Yeah more through post this morning,,,are they panicking?

Yes,and so is the Government.I was told by my rep yesterday that Ed Davey is ringing the Union virtually every day .

[Chelseablue]

Ooo I said stroked ,,,ughhh

[UnhappyGremlin]

Yeah more through post this morning,,,are they panicking?

Yes,and so is the Government.I was told by my rep yesterday that Ed Davey is ringing the Union virtually every day .

I don't think that Privatisation is as straight forward as both RM and the Government have tried to make it seem.
They have tried to make it look like an inevitability, presumably in an attempt to stop any opposition to it.
They are worried. And the best thing for us would be a massive 'Yes' vote in the forthcoming ballot.
And a strike.

[She Raa]

Yeah more through post this morning,,,are they panicking?

Yes,and so is the Government.I was told by my rep yesterday that Ed Davey is ringing the Union virtually every day .

I don't think that Privatisation is as straight forward as both RM and the Government have tried to make it seem.
They have tried to make it look like an inevitability, presumably in an attempt to stop any opposition to it.
They are worried. And the best thing for us would be a massive 'Yes' vote in the forthcoming ballot.
And a strike.

Totally agree. They are telling us its happening, in hope it's believed that its a done deal, so pointless in fighting it.

It isn't a done deal.

[BingBong]

i still think waiting a month is too long...this ballot should of been put in motion straight after the boycott one...