phantomshare wrote:Post strike analysis
By Clinton Manning, Business Editor 09/10/2007
ROYAL Mail's top brass were living up to their bungling Laurel and Hardy image yesterday.
As Adam Crozier accused union leaders of talking "cobblers" you could almost hear Ollie's immortal catchphrase: "That's another fine mess you've got me into Stanley".
Crozier, conspicuous by his absence during much of this dispute, finally broke cover, lashing out at the CWU for defending "out-dated Spanish practices".
In particular he accused posties of not working all the hours they're paid for. Branding your workforce shirkers during a fierce dispute doesn't seem like the brightest of ideas.
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In one sense Crozier is right. Traditionally posties have been able to knock off once they finish their deliveries. Crozier doesn't like "job 'n finish" as it's known in the business. If there's work to be done he thinks staff should scuttle back to the office and help out until their shift ends.
Crozier and chairman Allan Leighton's demand for "flexibility" like this is now one of the two sticking points in a dispute which started about pay.
The dynamic duo insist Royal Mail must modernise to compete with rivals, with a flexible workforce the key. But most modern managements want people to DO THE WORK not DO THE TIME.
If posties are denied the chance to go home "early" there is no incentive to work quickly or sacrifice meal breaks as they often do now.
In the name of flexibility Royal Mail also wants to give managers power to make staff switch shifts or jobs at the drop of a hat. But as posties aren't that well paid, many have other halves who work. The early starts means posties are often finish in time to collect kids from school. Putting an end to that will cause huge headaches for many families.
The second problem is the poor quality of Royal Mail's middle managers.
Many are former posties who've been promoted but had little or no training. Giving them too much freedom and authority will be a recipe for confrontation and disorder.
The other major bone of contention is Royal Mail's plans to slash the pensions of 165,000 workers.
The plot was shamelessly denied by bosses when the Mirror revealed it back in July. But the changes, including making posties work five years longer, are all back on management's agenda.
It is true that Royal Mail needs to take action as it has a £6 billion shortfall in the fund. But this is largely because the company paid nothing into the scheme for 10 years in the 1990s.
It is hardly surprising the workforce feel angry that they are being made to pay for that neglect.
c.manning@mgn.co.uk 
