Video : Terry Pullinger - A message to members and activists

[POSTMAN]

An important message for CWU members and activists from Terry Pullinger DGSP highlighting the major challenges facing the Union in 2017 and how we intend to address them with the employer.

[k979aaa]

It is good to see some action from our union but their is a fifth pillar dignity and respect at work works both ways and is sadly lacking from the management side this issue needs addressing more but just is one of many other pillars/aspects which affect us all.

[taxi4leighton]

very impressed with video
however to reach 35 hour week i feel this will need wage freeze for full time staff for several years
bearing in mind that inflation is expected to rise,this will be hard pill to swallow for some members,
but regarding pipeline,hes spot on
our rivals are delivering packets at 7 am
us?.10am.3 hour gap ,which is difficult to defend

[TrueBlueTerrier]

In my opinion, Royal mail has it all wrong. They are trying to copy all the other delivery companies, and as with anything you continually copy it gets worse and worse until it finally fails.

Royal Mail in my humble opinion should be trying to make more of their Unique points, delivery to every house/business, early morning deliveries (not later), centralised collection points etc. Instead they're doing the exact opposite, later deliveries, moving and merging DOs, and managing the decline in letters instead of trying to grow it with more marketing.

It's scary as if we continue down this path, then within my lifetime not only will RM be unrecognisable, I don't think it will exist. We need a forward thinker in charge, not someone who thinks the workforce is part of the problem when in fact they could be the solution.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Just seen this post on Facebook

Steve Halliwell for the CWU NEC

£750 Pension myth busted. This if paid is only payable to members of the DB scheme not to anyone in the DC scheme as they aren't members of that scheme where that money belongs. The money if taken as cash is subject to tax and NI. We all need to stand with the CWU as we are the only people who care about you, your family and your quality of life in retirement.

So DC members who vote No to a strike end up with exactly the same as they have now, a poor pension and no £750. I'd think even the chance of getting the £750 and the same pension as the rest of us should convince some to back a strike.

Although this begs the question will the DC members actually be part of the Vote for Industrial Action

[Rommagic]

Still need every rep in the country to hold meetings about this.

[postslippete]

In my opinion, Royal mail has it all wrong. They are trying to copy all the other delivery companies, and as with anything you continually copy it gets worse and worse until it finally fails.

Royal Mail in my humble opinion should be trying to make more of their Unique points, delivery to every house/business, early morning deliveries (not later), centralised collection points etc. Instead they're doing the exact opposite, later deliveries, moving and merging DOs, and managing the decline in letters instead of trying to grow it with more marketing.

It's scary as if we continue down this path, then within my lifetime not only will RM be unrecognisable, I don't think it will exist. We need a forward thinker in charge, not someone who thinks the workforce is part of the problem when in fact they could be the solution.

Completely and wholeheartedly agree. I don't accept the 35 hour working week either. To me, its pandering to the company's mis-guided whims that by somehow sending posties out on their deliveries later that it will somehow reconcile the huge short term savings that Royal Mail will make on processing and distribution. The increase in parcels over letters is also a significant point that often gets made, and Im wondering how long it will be before we do eventually end up as just another glorified courier company.

We need to get back to basics and focus on what we are good at and not give a rats arse about what the competition is doing. Because relentless cost cutting always sends out the message to our customers and staff. For example, since we have more lapsing bestowed upon us, and managers have been going out doing deliveries; we have had an increase in customer complaints. Coincidence?? Does anyone actually think that companies with the highest customer loyalty may also have the best staff loyalty? Its probably the reason why so many staff have worked at our company for so long, and now, a lot of them are complaining and/or itching to leave. And that cannot be the way forward.

[k979aaa]

This is a 35 working week WITHOUT LOSS OF PAY but as we all know pensions and other factors will come into play but it's about negotiation and a strike will not look good for them at the top nothing ever comes to you easy you have to fight and so it must be.

[walkthewalk]

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - you're out.

(1) Pension - I cannot give an answer to this as our employer have the rights to do this.
(2)Delivery Full Timers lose out here full stop, all right 4 hours less but you will have to deliver the same amount of mail as you would if you were doing 39 hours which in turn adds more pressure as you are cramming the same amount of mail into a reduced time scale. The part timers will get a higher hourly rate so that's good for them but what about Dignity Respect and FAIRNESS for all, the union are turning a blind eye here.
(3) Extension to rights - I'm afraid Royal Mail have boxed our union into a corner so we should be expecting a sucker punch very soon, meaning our rights like being paid when on sick leave, 20 year service employees loosing 30 days holidays, seniority rights a thing of the past also we will have to do a 10 til 6 shift to accomadation collections etc etc.
(4) Re-designed Pipeline - this is a tea and biscuit idea on our unions behalf as Royal Mail will do what they want regarding what times we start and finish so if you have childcare then beware because that is expensive to have between the hours of 3 till 6.30.

Oh what a caring company we all work for so be careful what you vote for.

[datasaint]

If they bring in the 35 hour week, how soon after will they remove paid breaks? Then effectively will be working 39 hours for 35 hours pay.

And don't think they wouldn't because RM has to be one of the few companies still paying meal reliefs.

[xegen]

Is the text of Terry's speech in the video available? It would be helpful to include some or all of it in a local newsletter.