UPDATE ON NATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS – 24 NOV 13 North West Div

[TrueBlueTerrier]

UPDATE ON NATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS – 24 NOVEMBER 13

from the North West Division CWU

Your reps including the Divisional and Regional Representatives would like to thank you again for the support you have shown your union by returning the yes vote in the ballot that has allowed us to get into meaningful negotiations.

We appreciate your concerns about the potential for Industrial Action in the run up to Xmas and wanting to know one way or another along with the uncertainty around the recent extensions to negotiations; however a responsible union will always seek to reach agreement without resorting to strikes if possible. Be assured the primary objective of the CWU is to achieve an agreement.

Our negotiators have reported to us that there is still the chance of reaching an agreement without the need to take Industrial Action. The negotiators are clear however that if a strike is necessary to secure a final agreement it will be called
Legally when an industrial action ballot result is announced the union have 28 days to commence the action. However, with the agreement of the employer, a maximum of an additional 28 days can be taken. This usually occurs when both sides accept that negotiations are progressing towards an agreement. This has been the case in our current dispute. The latest 7-day extension is the final one.

You will recall the dispute was called to ensure that we secured decent terms and conditions in the event of privatization.

• Commitments from the business on job security
• A decent pay offer that sees real increases going forward
• Commitments that our pension benefits will not continue to be attacked in a Privatised Royal Mail

You will appreciate that these negotiations are far reaching and complex and an agreement of the likes that our negotiators are seeking will be unique in British Industry following privatisation.

Progress has been made in a number of key areas including an improved pay offer. However this is a “closed offer” which means neither side can release details.
Unfortunately this is typical of negotiations when they are close to achieving an overall deal. We do understand the lack of detail in the union communications is very frustrating but we ask that you appreciate that the negotiators are trying to achieve an overall package. Communicating in detail on individual aspects of the discussions would only serve to undermine this objective.

No one is being deliberately secretive. Your local, Area and Divisional representatives are not withholding information. Only the Postal executive and negotiators will know details at this stage.

As soon as there is further information to share this will be done. As stated earlier, this is the last extension possible. Therefore by Monday 25th we will know whether we have a deal to recommend to you or we will be announcing some form of Industrial Action.

Again thank you for your continued support.

[Cut Off King]

Imm struggling to see the point in posting this. We already know that the 25th is the day we will receive new about the deal.

[shepherdess]

Any idea what time today ?

[dvbuk55]

UPDATE ON NATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS – 24 NOVEMBER 13

You will recall the dispute was called to ensure that we secured decent terms and conditions in the event of privatization.

• Commitments from the business on job security
• A decent pay offer that sees real increases going forward
• Commitments that our pension benefits will not continue to be attacked in a Privatised Royal Mail.

The fair and manageable workloads, the bullying and harassment in deliveries - supposedly the sticking points seem to have suddenly disappeared - again

[k979aaa]

Any idea what time today ?

Could be Wednesday when the strike is called if no deal today time will tell 48-50 hours to go we will find out by then.

[shepherdess]

In the above ltb its states we will find out today

[k979aaa]

UPDATE ON NATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS – 24 NOVEMBER 13

You will recall the dispute was called to ensure that we secured decent terms and conditions in the event of privatization.

• Commitments from the business on job security
• A decent pay offer that sees real increases going forward
• Commitments that our pension benefits will not continue to be attacked in a Privatised Royal Mail.

The fair and manageable workloads, the bullying and harassment in deliveries - supposedly the sticking points seem to have suddenly disappeared - again

Not for me they have not if they are not in the deal it is NO from me!

[k979aaa]

In the above ltb its states we will find out today

Depends if the strike is next Monday or if they decide Wednesday would be a better strike date more time for talks!

[Sergeant Blast]

UPDATE ON NATIONAL NEGOTIATIONS – 24 NOVEMBER 13

You will recall the dispute was called to ensure that we secured decent terms and conditions in the event of privatization.

• Commitments from the business on job security
• A decent pay offer that sees real increases going forward
• Commitments that our pension benefits will not continue to be attacked in a Privatised Royal Mail.

The fair and manageable workloads, the bullying and harassment in deliveries - supposedly the sticking points seem to have suddenly disappeared - again

Not for me they have not if they are not in the deal it is NO from me!

Same here. It does concern me that the issues that really effect us on a daily basis, are either at the bottom of the list or omitted completely. Workloads and B&H should be priority issues and not optional add-ons.