CWU give Royal Mail 15th of August deadline before setting strike timetable

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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This week it’s possible that Royal Mail workers who belong to the CWU may move one step closer to strike action.

CWU Deputy General Secretary Terry Pullinger has given a deadline of the 15th of August for the Union and the Royal Mail to agree some firm principles in talks, otherwise the Postal Executive of the Union will consider setting a timetable for industrial action.

The Union are call for their ‘Four Pillars’ which are: A pension solution for all; a shorter working week; extending legal protections; and a redesigned operational pipeline.

Personally I’m not too fussed on the hours deliveries take place. Gone are the days when your post arrived in time for breakfast and whether a letter is delivered before lunch or late in the afternoon it makes very little difference for the majority of households who are out at work all day. However I can understand that posties traditionally have started work early in the day and naturally also prefer to knock off early.

On Pensions Royal Mail have had one of the best pensions going but in today’s world it’s increasingly unrealistic for a “wage in retirement” which is what the CWU want to remain in place. Most pensions are now a contribution scheme and it’s up to the person retiring to decide if they want a lump sum and which annuity provider they choose to provide their retirement income. This is a major sticking point for the union.

It’s been a few years since the CWU regularly called strikes which at one point took place every two years in the run up to Christmas. 2017 could well be the year that widespread postal strikes kick off again which frankly is in on one’s interest. Consumers don’t want strikes, online retailers will simply take their business to alternative providers where they can and probably never return and Royal Mail’s business and reputation will be in tatters.

Realistically the CWU probably don’t want strikes either, the threat of a strike is many time more powerful than walking out as once strikes start taking place there’s no more powerful levers left for them to pull.

[POSTMAN]

There are furthers talks between Weds and Friday. If the Postal Executive agree the timebale for Industrail Action on Tuesday than the notice will not be served until early September and ballot papers will not go out till the third week of September.

This will allow for further talks up to September. The reason the CWU will not serve notice until September is that the new employment laws require the CWU to present accurately the membership records / workplaces of all who we are balloting , what the reasons are for balloting and what action we are taking which does need some time to prepare.

[parforthewalk]

'Consumers don’t want strikes, online retailers will simply take their business to alternative providers where they can and probably never return and Royal Mail’s business and reputation will be in tatters'.

Yes this could/may happen, however it would be short term only!
Nobody but nobody delivers better than RM. It's totally unique in what is does in the multi-faceted service it provides!
They (the retailers et el) would soon return to the BEST.

[scoobymunster]

....Any updates on how talks today are going?

[Lounge Lizard]

'Consumers don’t want strikes, online retailers will simply take their business to alternative providers where they can and probably never return and Royal Mail’s business and reputation will be in tatters'.

Yes this could/may happen, however it would be short term only!
Nobody but nobody delivers better than RM. It's totally unique in what is does in the multi-faceted service it provides!
They (the retailers et el) would soon return to the BEST.

Yes, indeed, the "alternative providers" would already have that business if they offered a better service than Royal Mail.
Most "customers" "don't want strikes" because having to use the "alternative providers" is what's known as a Distress Purchase.