CWU calls for judicial review of Ofcom

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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The CWU today (Tuesday) called for a judicial review of Ofcom for failing to fulfil its primary statutory duty to protect the universal service obligation.
Ofcom has been attacked for being "part of the problem, not the solution" for refusing to undertake a full review of the postal sector, instead focusing only on Royal Mail's efficiency.

CWU said the postal regulator was wrong to focus purely on efficiency instead of the effects of unfair competition on Royal Mail.

Dave Ward Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "The time is now right to begin the process of taking Ofcom to a judicial review for its complete failure to tackle the threat to the sustainability of the universal service obligation head on. We expect Royal Mail to support our call to defend its postal workers.

"Ofcom is part of the problem, not the solution"
Dave Ward, deputy general secretary (postal)

"What Ofcom is really saying is that postal workers pay and conditions need to be cut in the name of efficiency. In criticising Royal Mail's efficiency, Ofcom is preparing the ground for postal workers terms and conditions and pay to be dragged down to the level of its competitors.

"At last week's BIS select committee, both trade unions and the postal companies giving evidence all agreed decent terms and conditions and pay were essential for good performance. Ofcom seems to be the only party who want to oversee a race to the bottom on postal pay and service quality, something CWU will never accept."

"Ofcom is part of the problem, not the solution. It's astonishing that Ofcom refuses to accept that competitors' ability to cherry pick lucrative urban delivery routes is damaging the sustainability of the USO. The government needs to take a closer look at who is regulating the regulator and why it is flatly refusing to do its job in protecting the universal postal service."

[shepherdess]

Why dont the cwu start an e petion wouldn't take tha long for 100, 000 signatures

[SW17]

As I've said before I think Ofcom are in bed with the government and its all to do with job numbers, government don't want to tread on TNTs toes as they see them as removing a lot of unemployable people from the dole que, I speak to the Whistl postie on my route and he said TNT have a deal with the government where they will offer people jobs from there job centers and will continue to do so as they branch out further across the country.

[daveyeff]

why do we have to stick to what Ofcom says ? the others don't. why cant we charge them full price for final mile stuff/dsa. if burger king went to mcdonalds and said grill these burgers and sell them for 1.50 but we are only going to pay you 40p and we,ll keep the rest, mcdonalds would tell em to f**k right off. can someone explain why we cant do what the others are doing.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Access Headroom - Basically we have give our competitors a guaranteed margin. Enough to make a profit and promote competition.

We have to stick to what ofcom says because they oversee and interpret what is written into the legislation of the postal acts. The others also do but their obligations under the acts is not as far reaching or restrictive as its is for Royal Mail.

[daveyeff]

and if we don't stick to what they say ? they fine us....we don't pay.....they suspend our licence?....who will deliver.

[rubberbond]

Access Headroom - Basically we have give our competitors a guaranteed margin. Enough to make a profit and promote competition.

Isn't that the very thing our dear leader has been complaining about? The competition element.
Strange days indeed ,as John Lennon once warbled.

[westham000]

Whistl under their licence also have to protect the integrity of the mail. And yet they leave their bikes unatended and out of sight and sometimes not even locked up for up to an hour. The mail is kept in plastic panniers with a combination lock. To steal the mail you dont even have to cut the panniers with a Stanley knife. Imagine our pouch bags that we use with the adjustable strap. One of their posties showed me all you have to do is pull the adjustable strap and it will losen and allow anyboby to gain access to the mail and the lock remains locked. . He claims he often loses mail this way. I phoned ofcom to complain about them failing to protect the integrity of the mail and was told they would need other people to complain before they would investigate. They would not tell me how many other people would need to complain before they carry out an investigation. Apparently this is confidential. I am worried because these people deliver my bank statements and other important mail. I dont want to be a victim of bank fraud or id theif. The cwu need to hire an investigator to film this and post it on you tube. After all, the members of the public dont really understand how they are at risk from ID theif.

[westham000]

What the cwu want to do is use our subs that we pay every week and sue ofcom for failing to enforce the terms and conditions of the license that they issue. Whistl in my opinion operate a failed business model. That fails to protect the integrity of the mail. We had to invest millions in new high capacity trolleys. Do you remember the old style trolleys we used with a plastic top. Our trolleys are all fiberglass for added security. And they can not be left for more then ten minutes and must be if possible within sight at all times. We are also using vans which offer even more security. All this cost money, and combined with our terms and conditions , pension cost etc how can we honestly compete against whistl?

[Lounge Lizard]

What the cwu want to do is use our subs that we pay every week and sue ofcom for failing to enforce the terms and conditions of the license that they issue. Whistl in my opinion operate a failed business model. That fails to protect the integrity of the mail. We had to invest millions in new high capacity trolleys. Do you remember the old style trolleys we used with a plastic top. Our trolleys are all fiberglass for added security. And they can not be left for more then ten minutes and must be if possible within sight at all times. We are also using vans which offer even more security. All this cost money, and combined with our terms and conditions , pension cost etc how can we honestly compete against whistl?

Whistl are meant to match us on mail integrity, which they won't.
We are meant to match Whistl on poor terms and conditions and lack of pension, which will take time.

[wacko74]

This issue needs a much bigger campaign and a much bigger audience than it's currently getting, being tucked away in this thread in the 'news' section.... At the very least it should be made a sticky at the top of all the different sections of the forum.

EVERYONE needs to be made aware of the ramifications of Ofcoms decision as it effects everyone with any connection to Royal Mail... employees, customers, even shareholders will all be far worse off and it needs a joint effort from all concerned to fight it.

[westham000]

Couldn't have said it better wacko74.

[Darren Bent]

I think it is time for Ofcom to get a bloody nose. If I was in power, I would close down Ofcom.

Why do we need Ofcom to set regulations, it doesn't do anything useful or helpful for Royal Mail.

Can we start ignoring them and refuse to pay the fine or listen to their threat for suspending license. They can't suspend us as they need us to deliver post. We need a big battle against them.