National Dispute - Joint Statement 30th October 2013

[Martin Walsh]

The extension of the ballot is only 7 days. Legally to keep our ballot live we have take action before the 20th November in line with the employment laws we have to serve notice 7 days before and that is why we have to serve notice by the 13th November. Royal Mail could have given a longer extension they refused.to so unless their is agreement in place we will serve notice on the 13th.

[daveyeff]

The extension of the ballot is only 7 days. Legally to keep our ballot live we have take action before the 20th November in line with the employment laws we have to serve notice 7 days before and that is why we have to serve notice by the 13th November. Royal Mail could have given a longer extension they refused.to so unless their is agreement in place we will serve notice on the 13th.

which means we have 14 days to reach agreement. not 7.

[Garzongos]

Reading through the majority of the comments on this thread it seems a lot of people here think that RM are shitting it because of Xmas. While it is a massive event parcel delivery is an all year round thing now and what worries them is lots of small customers like eBay users find one of the many ways of sending rather than using ourselves. I myself trade on eBay and a lot of couriers are cheaper than us and the bosses know this so they wont want a strike ANY time of the year.

Anyway irrespective of that, one question I am wondering is are we still getting back dated pay from April which we are due?

[Lincox]

From the end of today surely we have 19 days to reach agreement before striking on 20th November. We do not have to reach agreement by 13th November, but we do have to notify Royal Mail of intended strike action for the 20th Nov on 13th Nov. Agreement can still be reached between 13th Nov and 19th Nov in order that strike action is avoided. The only problem I see, and that is really concerning is that the membership have to vote on any deal. How long will this take and will strike action be put off again whilst there is a ballot. As others have said this could delay strike action to a point where the Christmas Pressure is nearly over. Dingo, I imagine CWU have considered this and perhaps you could enlighten us on how delays to strike action are going to be avoided or else we are going to lose the momentum yet again.

[dvbuk55]

Lets stop kidding ourselves here. They've bottled it. There has been 18 days to the 4th Nov to reach agreement with an improved offer and it hasn't been forthcoming and now 2 more weeks for an improved offer to be discussed so wtf has been discussed for the last 18 days? There are shades of 2009 here and we are about to get the sharp end of the stick AGAIN. Any offer has to be presented to the membership for agreement so this time we want to see a simple straightforward proposal without any hidden caveats and revisits liable to alter anything. I notice RM have agreed not to implement anything with executive action oh yes I believe that.

RM run rings round the union time after time

[dvbuk55]

From the end of today surely we have 19 days to reach agreement before striking on 20th November. We do not have to reach agreement by 13th November, but we do have to notify Royal Mail of intended strike action for the 20th Nov on 13th Nov. Agreement can still be reached between 13th Nov and 19th Nov in order that strike action is avoided. The only problem I see, and that is really concerning is that the membership have to vote on any deal. How long will this take and will strike action be put off again whilst there is a ballot. As others have said this could delay strike action to a point where the Christmas Pressure is nearly over. Dingo, I imagine CWU have considered this and perhaps you could enlighten us on how delays to strike action are going to be avoided or else we are going to lose the momentum yet again.

There's no reason why we can't strike AND talk maybe that would be a focus for the negotiators on both sides. This is more like the Grand Old Duke of York all over again.

[janitor]

Unless the union are going to pull there ain't no plan B stunt again, the fact the membership has to vote on any deal isn't really relevant, if the union leadership doesn't think the deal is good enough it won't go out to the members, so a vote won't delay things past Xmas pressure, no reasonable offer no vote, and strike on 20th November.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Anyway irrespective of that, one question I am wondering is are we still getting back dated pay from April which we are due?

I will answer this in the style of the quiz program QI

[britwrit]

Reading through the majority of the comments on this thread it seems a lot of people here think that RM are shitting it because of Xmas. While it is a massive event parcel delivery is an all year round thing now and what worries them is lots of small customers like eBay users find one of the many ways of sending rather than using ourselves. I myself trade on eBay and a lot of couriers are cheaper than us and the bosses know this so they wont want a strike ANY time of the year.

Anyway irrespective of that, one question I am wondering is are we still getting back dated pay from April which we are due?

I think management is quickly learning that the wonderful world of the private sector isn't as wonderful as they thought it would be. When your short-term cash flow is so easily screwed around with, the competition so ready to eat your cake, your ability to tackle those long-term labor costs is really restricted.

UPS in the US is still unionized, thanks to the Teamsters. That's the model the CWU should be aiming for.

[S6 Stroller]

rm must be serious about sorting this out then as if they aren't the strikes will fall in the Christmas rush.

cwu played a blinder on timing imo

tbf rm had nowhere to go after the share price rocketed

Completely agree. I think it's RM who are shitting it not CWU.

[RTP]

Lets stop kidding ourselves here. They've bottled it. There has been 18 days to the 4th Nov to reach agreement with an improved offer and it hasn't been forthcoming and now 2 more weeks for an improved offer to be discussed so wtf has been discussed for the last 18 days? There are shades of 2009 here and we are about to get the sharp end of the stick AGAIN. Any offer has to be presented to the membership for agreement so this time we want to see a simple straightforward proposal without any hidden caveats and revisits liable to alter anything. I notice RM have agreed not to implement anything with executive action oh yes I believe that.

RM run rings round the union time after time

Put the kettle on, get a biscuit and relax instead of looking at the book cover and imagining what's inside before you've even opened it.

[dvbuk55]

Lets stop kidding ourselves here. They've bottled it. There has been 18 days to the 4th Nov to reach agreement with an improved offer and it hasn't been forthcoming and now 2 more weeks for an improved offer to be discussed so wtf has been discussed for the last 18 days? There are shades of 2009 here and we are about to get the sharp end of the stick AGAIN. Any offer has to be presented to the membership for agreement so this time we want to see a simple straightforward proposal without any hidden caveats and revisits liable to alter anything. I notice RM have agreed not to implement anything with executive action oh yes I believe that.

RM run rings round the union time after time

Put the kettle on, get a biscuit and relax instead of looking at the book cover and imagining what's inside before you've even opened it.

You read the book RTP, I've seen the movie, got the DVD and the t-shirt, believe me this is JAWS II. If we come out of this better than BT 2010 I'll show my ars* on the town hall steps. Even when we've been shafted you'll still get the diehards saying what a wonderful agreement - just like last time - you know the script, no Plan B and the best we can get.................without any action.

[Big Daz]

Lets stop kidding ourselves here. They've bottled it. There has been 18 days to the 4th Nov to reach agreement with an improved offer and it hasn't been forthcoming and now 2 more weeks for an improved offer to be discussed so wtf has been discussed for the last 18 days? There are shades of 2009 here and we are about to get the sharp end of the stick AGAIN. Any offer has to be presented to the membership for agreement so this time we want to see a simple straightforward proposal without any hidden caveats and revisits liable to alter anything. I notice RM have agreed not to implement anything with executive action oh yes I believe that.

RM run rings round the union time after time

Put the kettle on, get a biscuit and relax instead of looking at the book cover and imagining what's inside before you've even opened it.

You read the book RTP, I've seen the movie, got the DVD and the t-shirt, believe me this is JAWS II. If we come out of this better than BT 2010 I'll show my ars* on the town hall steps. Even when we've been shafted you'll still get the diehards saying what a wonderful agreement - just like last time - you know the script, no Plan B and the best we can get.................without any action.

If that happens I'll buy you a new shed and bring the handmaidens out of retirement.

[cloherty1976]

Lets stop kidding ourselves here. They've bottled it. There has been 18 days to the 4th Nov to reach agreement with an improved offer and it hasn't been forthcoming and now 2 more weeks for an improved offer to be discussed so wtf has been discussed for the last 18 days? There are shades of 2009 here and we are about to get the sharp end of the stick AGAIN. Any offer has to be presented to the membership for agreement so this time we want to see a simple straightforward proposal without any hidden caveats and revisits liable to alter anything. I notice RM have agreed not to implement anything with executive action oh yes I believe that.

RM run rings round the union time after time

Put the kettle on, get a biscuit and relax instead of looking at the book cover and imagining what's inside before you've even opened it.

You read the book RTP, I've seen the movie, got the DVD and the t-shirt, believe me this is JAWS II. If we come out of this better than BT 2010 I'll show my ars* on the town hall steps. Even when we've been shafted you'll still get the diehards saying what a wonderful agreement - just like last time - you know the script, no Plan B and the best we can get.................without any action.

I like what you say and makes me laugh. I agree what you say but also believe the union were worried how many were working and if they would have paid the £300. I think they would but you will never know for sure so it's a safe bet to withdraw the strike on the 4th I believe myself.

[dvbuk55]

Lets stop kidding ourselves here. They've bottled it. There has been 18 days to the 4th Nov to reach agreement with an improved offer and it hasn't been forthcoming and now 2 more weeks for an improved offer to be discussed so wtf has been discussed for the last 18 days? There are shades of 2009 here and we are about to get the sharp end of the stick AGAIN. Any offer has to be presented to the membership for agreement so this time we want to see a simple straightforward proposal without any hidden caveats and revisits liable to alter anything. I notice RM have agreed not to implement anything with executive action oh yes I believe that.

RM run rings round the union time after time

Put the kettle on, get a biscuit and relax instead of looking at the book cover and imagining what's inside before you've even opened it.

You read the book RTP, I've seen the movie, got the DVD and the t-shirt, believe me this is JAWS II. If we come out of this better than BT 2010 I'll show my ars* on the town hall steps. Even when we've been shafted you'll still get the diehards saying what a wonderful agreement - just like last time - you know the script, no Plan B and the best we can get.................without any action.

If that happens I'll buy you a new shed and bring the handmaidens out of retirement.

Wow thanks BD that'll be 4 yep 4 sheds and the handmaidens will definitely come in handy...........pardon the pun.........I've been having a little discomfort with arthritis in my hands and they may be able to help an aged gent out