Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail privatisation: Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions

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Postal workers are to stage a one-day strike after voting 4-1 in favour of walkouts over issues linked to the controversial privatisation of Royal Mail.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will stage a walkout on November 4 after backing industrial action by 78%.

The union said it will consider further action and announced an escalation, with a new ballot which will enable postal workers to boycott competitors' mail.

CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said: "Postal workers have spoken very clearly that they care about their jobs, terms and conditions far more than they care about shares.

"The stakes have become much higher for postal workers since privatisation, making this ballot more important than ever. Postal workers will not be the people who pay for the profits of private operators and faceless shareholders."

The union balloted around 115,000 of its members in the Royal Mail and Parcelforce, and reported a turnout of 63%.

Mr Ward said the question now was whether a privatised Royal Mail still wanted an agreement.

"We have offered the company a two-week period to reach an agreement and, having already had many hours of negotiation, this is achievable if there is a will. The clock is ticking for both sides and we need Royal Mail to work to reach agreement before this deadline.

"What we want is a ground-breaking, long-term, legally binding agreement that not only protects postal workers' job security, pay and pensions, but will also determine the strategy, principles and values of how the Royal Mail Group will operate as a private entity.

"This means there will be no further break-up of the company, no franchising of individual offices or delivery rounds, no introduction of a cheaper workforce on two-tier terms and conditions and no part-time industry.

"It will mean - regardless of who owns Royal Mail - this company will not be able to enter the race to the bottom and replicate the employment practices and service standards of their competitors."

The union announced plans for a second ballot, asking workers to support a boycott of rival companies' mail.

Mr Ward added: "On top of a strike, the union will seek a mandate from members to carry out the boycott of competitors' mail. In law, this needs a separate ballot and we will commence the procedures for this at the earliest opportunity.

"The boycott will be used to supplement strike action. Royal Mail needs to reach an agreement with us now and avoid the consequences of these two types of action from postal workers."

The union has accused the Government of "deliberately creating a scramble" for shares, leading to many private investors cashing in their allocation at a big profit in the past few days.

The share surge sparked further anger about public assets being sold too cheaply.

Mr Ward said the Yes vote had been achieved despite the offer of free shares to postal workers, the timetable of the sell-off being moved before the ballot was completed, and a £300 "bribe" for workers crossing a picket line in the event of a strike.

He said the union has been pressing for a legally binding agreement so that work is not outsourced or franchised or that new staff are employed on cheaper rates of pay.

"We don't want this to become a part-time industry, with a race to the bottom on pay, terms and conditions. The most important people in this debate are postal workers and we want to make sure they get the deal they deserve."

Business Secretary Vince Cable has been asked to give fresh evidence to a committee of MPs over the privatisation following an appearance last week, when he faced tough questioning about the sell-off.

Investment bank Lazard is also set to be questioned next month by the Business Select Committee over the pricing of Royal Mail and concerns that institutional investors were allowed to buy into the company too cheaply.

The Direct Marketing Association, which represents the advertising mail industry, accounting for £1 billion of Royal Mail's turnover, said the strike will have a "severe" financial impact on tens of thousands of companies, charities and others.

Executive director Chris Combemale said: "The UK economy is only just emerging from recession and we cannot afford any further impediment to its recovery. The build-up to Christmas is a critical period that typically accounts for a significant proportion of businesses' annual revenues and charities' donations.

"People who rely on Royal Mail to deliver billions of pounds of goods ordered online would have their festive season disrupted, and loss of trade would lead to job cuts in many companies across the economy.

"Commercial users account for the biggest percentage of Royal Mail's turnover. Any disruption to service would quickly lead businesses to take their custom elsewhere, which is an outcome that would not benefit the postal workers that CWU represents."

Royal Mail said it was "very disappointed" by the strike announcement, adding that any action, or the threat of disruption, was damaging to its business, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

A statement said: "Royal Mail will do all that we can to protect our business and minimise the impact of any industrial action on our customers' mail."

The company commented on the 63% turnout, saying it showed that 51% of CWU members had voted against a strike, or had abstained.

[trythat]

Royal Mail privatisation: Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions


The company commented on the 63% turnout, saying it showed that 51% of CWU members had voted against a strike, or had abstained.

If the above quote is the kind of propaganda that RM intends to use, then it goes to show out of touch they are, we all know that it's the actual votes that count. Be intrested to see what Cameron says about turn out, if this was a General or local election they would be doing cartwheels!!

[osgoody1970]

about the 15000, who voted no... should we get them SECTIONED!!!!

[Red Robbo]

Action short of strike action, is this so we can work to rule when the belly has fallen out of the Union after a few days loss of pay, can't wait to hear the bellyaching " I can't afford to go on strike, why don't we work to rule and keep some money coming in"

[Brain Fury]

Royal Mail privatisation: Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions


The company commented on the 63% turnout, saying it showed that 51% of CWU members had voted against a strike, or had abstained.

If the above quote is the kind of propaganda that RM intends to use, then it goes to show out of touch they are, we all know that it's the actual votes that count. Be intrested to see what Cameron says about turn out, if this was a General or local election they would be doing cartwheels!!

I thought I read on here that a non vote was a no vote. Only 49% in favour not exactly overwhelming is it?

[dazzlin72]

People moaning about disruption to Christmas festivities?, if they're so bothered, let them actually go to the shops rather than buying online!, or would that be too dificult?!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail privatisation: Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions


The company commented on the 63% turnout, saying it showed that 51% of CWU members had voted against a strike, or had abstained.

If the above quote is the kind of propaganda that RM intends to use, then it goes to show out of touch they are, we all know that it's the actual votes that count. Be intrested to see what Cameron says about turn out, if this was a General or local election they would be doing cartwheels!!

I thought I read on here that a non vote was a no vote. Only 49% in favour not exactly overwhelming is it?

You can postulate it another way 13.5% support Royal Mails offer - 86.5 % Don't or abstained.

We can play with figures all day but isn't it better to come to an agreement.

[Burge]

Royal Mail privatisation: Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions


The company commented on the 63% turnout, saying it showed that 51% of CWU members had voted against a strike, or had abstained.

If the above quote is the kind of propaganda that RM intends to use, then it goes to show out of touch they are, we all know that it's the actual votes that count. Be intrested to see what Cameron says about turn out, if this was a General or local election they would be doing cartwheels!!

I thought I read on here that a non vote was a no vote. Only 49% in favour not exactly overwhelming is it?

Really? 56000 & 78% ? covering all those duties on November 4th should be a doddle for you then.

lower turnout surprised me but only the losers in a vote will waste time moaning about that bribery seems to work all those who fell for it won't be happy when they don't get their pieces of silver.

[Burge]

Royal Mail privatisation: Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions


The company commented on the 63% turnout, saying it showed that 51% of CWU members had voted against a strike, or had abstained.

If the above quote is the kind of propaganda that RM intends to use, then it goes to show out of touch they are, we all know that it's the actual votes that count. Be intrested to see what Cameron says about turn out, if this was a General or local election they would be doing cartwheels!!

I thought I read on here that a non vote was a no vote. Only 49% in favour not exactly overwhelming is it?

You can postulate it another way 21% support Royal Mails offer - 79% Don't or abstained.

We can play with figures all day but isn't it better to come to an agreement.

[Red Robbo]

Look the Picket Line will keep back the no-voters , abstenters and anyone else who had doubts about the strike, support your local reps and turn up on the day.

[Brain Fury]

Royal Mail privatisation: Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions


The company commented on the 63% turnout, saying it showed that 51% of CWU members had voted against a strike, or had abstained.

If the above quote is the kind of propaganda that RM intends to use, then it goes to show out of touch they are, we all know that it's the actual votes that count. Be intrested to see what Cameron says about turn out, if this was a General or local election they would be doing cartwheels!!

I thought I read on here that a non vote was a no vote. Only 49% in favour not exactly overwhelming is it?

You can postulate it another way 13.5% support Royal Mails offer - 86.5 % Don't or abstained.

We can play with figures all day but isn't it better to come to an agreement.

It wasn't me that said that a non vote was a no vote and given the strength of feeling on here one might have expected at least a majority in favour of IA. I imagine that the vote on DSA will be more emphatic and that RM will be just as, if not more, worried about that than single day strikes. However, I agree that it's better to come to an agreement and I'd be surprised if there aren't more talks before 4th November. I thought it was notable that Dave Ward's demands were virtually word for word the things that had been offered by RM. I thought 8.6% was a good offer but obviously you must get an improved pay offer now and possibly some movement in the protection of t&cs. I understand there is already an agreed joint initiative on B&H planned for next year although that hasn't been mentioned as one of the demands.

[Burge]

Royal Mail privatisation: Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions


The company commented on the 63% turnout, saying it showed that 51% of CWU members had voted against a strike, or had abstained.

If the above quote is the kind of propaganda that RM intends to use, then it goes to show out of touch they are, we all know that it's the actual votes that count. Be intrested to see what Cameron says about turn out, if this was a General or local election they would be doing cartwheels!!

I thought I read on here that a non vote was a no vote. Only 49% in favour not exactly overwhelming is it?

You can postulate it another way 13.5% support Royal Mails offer - 86.5 % Don't or abstained.

We can play with figures all day but isn't it better to come to an agreement.

It wasn't me that said that a non vote was a no vote and given the strength of feeling on here one might have expected at least a majority in favour of IA. I imagine that the vote on DSA will be more emphatic and that RM will be just as, if not more, worried about that than single day strikes. However, I agree that it's better to come to an agreement and I'd be surprised if there aren't more talks before 4th November. I thought it was notable that Dave Ward's demands were virtually word for word the things that had been offered by RM. I thought 8.6% was a good offer but obviously you must get an improved pay offer now and possibly some movement in the protection of t&cs. I understand there is already an agreed joint initiative on B&H planned for next year although that hasn't been mentioned as one of the demands.

Ah, ok. It's the strings that come attached to the pay deal that is the issue to me. And the public and us should be made clear again and again what those stumbling blocks were/are. Billy Hayes had the opportunity to address that tonight on Sky but buggered it up. We all want this sorted out but RM knows this isn't just about money so stop trotting out how good a deal it is and address the reasons why it isn't seen that way. Over to Moya I'm not hopeful she has what it takes to come around to a meaningful resolution to this for all concerned.

[Brain Fury]

Royal Mail privatisation: Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions


The company commented on the 63% turnout, saying it showed that 51% of CWU members had voted against a strike, or had abstained.

If the above quote is the kind of propaganda that RM intends to use, then it goes to show out of touch they are, we all know that it's the actual votes that count. Be intrested to see what Cameron says about turn out, if this was a General or local election they would be doing cartwheels!!

I thought I read on here that a non vote was a no vote. Only 49% in favour not exactly overwhelming is it?

You can postulate it another way 13.5% support Royal Mails offer - 86.5 % Don't or abstained.

We can play with figures all day but isn't it better to come to an agreement.

It wasn't me that said that a non vote was a no vote and given the strength of feeling on here one might have expected at least a majority in favour of IA. I imagine that the vote on DSA will be more emphatic and that RM will be just as, if not more, worried about that than single day strikes. However, I agree that it's better to come to an agreement and I'd be surprised if there aren't more talks before 4th November. I thought it was notable that Dave Ward's demands were virtually word for word the things that had been offered by RM. I thought 8.6% was a good offer but obviously you must get an improved pay offer now and possibly some movement in the protection of t&cs. I understand there is already an agreed joint initiative on B&H planned for next year although that hasn't been mentioned as one of the demands.

Ah, ok. It's the strings that come attached to the pay deal that is the issue to me. And the public and us should be made clear again and again what those stumbling blocks were/are. Billy Hayes had the opportunity to address that tonight on Sky but buggered it up. We all want this sorted out but RM knows this isn't just about money so stop trotting out how good a deal it is and address the reasons why it isn't seen that way. Over to Moya I'm not hopeful she has what it takes to come around to a meaningful resolution to this for all concerned.

Billy's useless - he does you guys no favours. Remind me about the strings to the pay deal - it's not that I'm saying there aren't any I just can't remember the detail.

[meweavy]

Im sure the strings to the paydeal included less pension received and a no strike deal for the next 3 years, I think thats was some of the strings attatched to the 3 year pay deal, also the third year was not guaranteed.
I might be wrong.

[Burge]

Royal Mail privatisation: Workers to go on strike over future pay and conditions


The company commented on the 63% turnout, saying it showed that 51% of CWU members had voted against a strike, or had abstained.

If the above quote is the kind of propaganda that RM intends to use, then it goes to show out of touch they are, we all know that it's the actual votes that count. Be intrested to see what Cameron says about turn out, if this was a General or local election they would be doing cartwheels!!

I thought I read on here that a non vote was a no vote. Only 49% in favour not exactly overwhelming is it?

You can postulate it another way 13.5% support Royal Mails offer - 86.5 % Don't or abstained.

We can play with figures all day but isn't it better to come to an agreement.

It wasn't me that said that a non vote was a no vote and given the strength of feeling on here one might have expected at least a majority in favour of IA. I imagine that the vote on DSA will be more emphatic and that RM will be just as, if not more, worried about that than single day strikes. However, I agree that it's better to come to an agreement and I'd be surprised if there aren't more talks before 4th November. I thought it was notable that Dave Ward's demands were virtually word for word the things that had been offered by RM. I thought 8.6% was a good offer but obviously you must get an improved pay offer now and possibly some movement in the protection of t&cs. I understand there is already an agreed joint initiative on B&H planned for next year although that hasn't been mentioned as one of the demands.

Ah, ok. It's the strings that come attached to the pay deal that is the issue to me. And the public and us should be made clear again and again what those stumbling blocks were/are. Billy Hayes had the opportunity to address that tonight on Sky but buggered it up. We all want this sorted out but RM knows this isn't just about money so stop trotting out how good a deal it is and address the reasons why it isn't seen that way. Over to Moya I'm not hopeful she has what it takes to come around to a meaningful resolution to this for all concerned.

Billy's useless - he does you guys no favours. Remind me about the strings to the pay deal - it's not that I'm saying there aren't any I just can't remember the detail.

His interviewee skills leave a lot to be desired. Pension pot robbing, house loan and B&H ignoring Moya does you lot no favours either. Needing protecting from our people indeed. Ok, she does well for you on the B&H ignoring bit If you can't remember the strings how can you say earlier the 8.6% deal is a good one?