Mount Pleasant Workers Fight bulletin 16/6/16

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Here is latest (16/6/16) Mount Pleasant bulletin...

THE TRICK...
So, no surprise! The CWU executive has recommended we accept the "no strings" 1.6% pay rise citing official RPI as 1.4% - so we get 0.2% "above inflation"! Real inflation is at least twice as much!
They point to "no strings", yet the strings are attached to the mouths, arms and legs of these CWU puppets. They claim they'll "fight" the "new ways of working" - which are the REAL strings, when they negotiate them in July (One Plan, One Wave, i.e., new ways of working, 9am-5pm, 6hr delivery spans, more job cuts and closures, etc...) after we've voted on pay? It's a trick and a trap!

... AND THE TRAP
What happened when pensions were "decoupled" from the pay deal in 2007? In the same way that "strings" are decoupled from the pay deal this time?
In 2007 we staged wildcat strikes, then took official strike action nationally for the first time in 11 years, until the strike was called off and a deal done (with many of us back on unofficial strike) agreeing more part-timers, flexibility and no limit on walks...
The pension negotiations ended in 2008, safely away from any strikes. RM then ended our final salary pension scheme. We lost part of our defined benefit pensions, but all post-2008 new recruits now have a pension totally dependent on the ups and downs of the financial markets. (Which certainly will suffer if there's a Brexit, due to the predictable fall in the market!)

NO MORE CUTS!
So the real strings - or shall we say ropes to hang us with - are around the corner. Of course we can fight them. But we should be ready to ignore the stories RM and the CWU top leaders will tell us - that these are new ways of working which are part of their partnership deal and not something we can refuse. We can refuse to accept more changes which worsen our working conditions and cut our numbers. It's up to us, as a whole workforce. And we need to be able to say it and act upon our word - even though they're taking away the "official" chance with this trick.

NOT ENOUGH!
We're told that the Processing fit-up started on Monday the 6th, but frankly we don't see the difference! What we need is new faces, hands and legs, not the sharing of even more duties! It's been incredibly busy - especially last week when parent took half-term leave. But the workforce should be large enough so that these predictable, regular "holidays" don't result in chaos!

LOL?
The clearing and works in the basement has started for the new van parking area and we're already thinking of the mess ahead… We anticipate even more chaos (and maybe some laughs), when managers try hard to fit the same number (??) of vans in a shrinking space.
CUTS BEHIND THEIR FANCY WORDS
In fact that's a question. Because behind the "new way of working" and so-called One Wave- One Plan there are yet more big cuts coming, so that profits can rise. It means fewer workers, fewer vans, when we are too few drivers as it is! We should be clear about RM's plans and find our own way to oppose them, along with other offices - since the top union officials are undoubtedly already signed up to them!

ROYAL MAYHEM
We remember when RM planned for separate "arrivals" and "exit" platforms, but it never happened in practice, as there weren't enough platforms. RM's made such a mess of it that sometimes it's literally impossible to even walk the platform! And when the development cuts the space even more? Well, we know where to get a cuppa while managers try to solve their own (insoluble) mayhem!

WHO'S TO BLAME?
And let's not forget that RM and RM alone engineered this present chaos. When they closed Paddington, East London, Nine Elms, Rathbone Place, etc., to please future shareholders! We were happy to welcome the workers here - it "saved" MP, in a way. But unfortunately an army of useless managers ended up here as well - each with their own (crazy) obsessions! So we'll not allow management to blame the worsening mess on us.

NEW FACES?
So transfers from Greenford, Romford and HMP are open and we expect to see some new mates coming over here. For our mates leaving, we wish them all the best, and the new comers, a warm welcome to HMP… and if you find it chaotic, don't worry, we'll explain over a cup of rosy…

FALSE ALARM
We got worried when we heard Buzzy Bee was coming back… but then we were told it was just for a meeting… That was close! Sorry to our mates in Medway, but we've already had more than our fair share of it!

THE ELEPHANT'S TRUNK IS GROWING
We're short of hands on the cleaning side. there are 2 vacancies on days. But nights is also struggling. Now the Romec Dumbo wants night cleaners to move to days? That can only help save money while making matters worse for the workforce and the state of cleanliness! And how dare he say he gives casuals overtime because they "do a better job" when we all know it's because they're cheaper! And more proof we're understaffed!

HEADLESS LAMP-POSTS AND OFFICIALS
It seems that the building development is now proceeding ahead… we've noticed several lampposts knocked down, by the car park opposite Phoenix. We need to know how this is going to affect us, here in HMP - can the union office please keep us updated?