Report from joint PEC/Divisional reps meeting

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 22 Nov 2017, 17:19

Bernardson · Post by **Bernardson** » 22 Nov 2017, 17:35

So the members are kept in the dark while the Mirror and Momentum get a briefing?
that's not good enough. Lets have the info now

I am not surprised that the mediator can't get a grasp of the issues. Sitting on your arse all day and getting out there dirtying your hand are two very different perspectives of industry. They probably shop in Waitrose and own cats

Decky Boy · Post by **Decky Boy** » 22 Nov 2017, 17:41

Thanks for the above post ... it's encouraging to hear the employer has moved on pensions and one or two other important issues however reading between the lines can we expect an extended Christmas break this year ? ? ?

I dare say I could pull myself away from the port and stilton for a few hours if manning the Picket Line was an issue

Seriously though ... thank you negotiators... and I guess "what will be .... will be"

worktotime · Post by **worktotime** » 22 Nov 2017, 17:44

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:

Post

thanks for that , how the f**k can you have a mediator trying to deal and write a report on these issues who hasn't got a clue how the job is done or run and how these changes would affect peoples lives

to right no more f***ing time to string it out .

joe379 · Post by **joe379** » 22 Nov 2017, 18:42

Working with momentum? That’s me done with the union.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 22 Nov 2017, 18:48

joe379 wrote:Working with momentum? That’s me done with the union.

To be frank it's not unexpected as you are a self-declared Tory Voter.

But if you don't pay into the Political fund then you aren't paying anything to Momentum, so leaving the Union seems a little drastic, if not pointless.

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 22 Nov 2017, 20:52

Mediator has asked to extend the process for mediation and the CWU have refused

That doesn't sound very grown up.

Post by **rogersh** » 22 Nov 2017, 20:58

"Report is due 30th November
Process will conclude on 12th Dec CWU believe it should conclude on the 8th either way the mediation process will not be extended."

I make the 12th December 7 weeks since the appointment of the mediator... Why is the 8th December believed to be the conclusion date ?

Post by **Lincox** » 22 Nov 2017, 21:58

clashcityrocker wrote:Mediator has asked to extend the process for mediation and the CWU have refused

That doesn't sound very grown up.

Bearing in mind that until the union had notified RM of strike action on 19th October, the company had disregarded The Four Pillars and had notified the union that they did not see the need for mediation. On notice of strike action they ran to the courts to get an injunction. They have had four weeks to move their position towards what the union require and have still not come up with sufficient concrete movements to settle the dispute. The union said from day one of mediation that if RM are using this just to defer strike action then they would not be prepared to extend mediation beyond the time scales laid down in the agreement. How therefore does this not sound very grown up?

clashcityrocker · Post by **clashcityrocker** » 22 Nov 2017, 22:05

Because the mediator has asked to extend the mediation not RM.
What else are they going to do?

Post by **Lincox** » 22 Nov 2017, 23:12

The mediator was informed of timescales by CWU on her appointment and was aware that there was no scope for extending if the union believed that Royal Mail were not serious about negotiating. She has had in excess of four weeks to make her deliberations.

fishtank · Post by **fishtank** » 22 Nov 2017, 23:49

Clash is right it does come across as childish, the union needs to be careful it doesn't end up looking like the party that didn't take the mediation process seriously. A mediation process requires movement on both sides, that's the whole point of negotiations and trying to play to the "militant" crowd with tub thumping when the crowd are actually a diverse bunch of people with different views can only be divisive. There is also the possibility that we may at some point end up back in court at over some minor technicality, If that does happen no doubt union intransigence will be cited along with any refusal to enable meaningful talks.

Most members want to see the foundations of a deal coming from these talks, we're not stupid and don't expect all our dreams fulfilled but we expect that progress made will be built on not thrown away. What you have to ask yourself is what difference to Royal Mail's position will strikes or the threat of strikes in January actually make? They've had the threats of strikes at Christmas and been forced into a mediation process they allegedly didn't want and we're at this point. Would we be asking members to strike for another tiny movement in position? How many days?

seaside · Post by **seaside** » 23 Nov 2017, 08:26

Would it not be better to keep talking for as long as possible , union are in a strong position at the moment. No company likes the idea of strike action hanging over them, especially share holders. I think the union have the best chance now to get us good deals. Members also on about Christmas and that's when we need to strike, no, its anytime now as the parcels we deliver is all year round and growing.

Post by **rogersh** » 23 Nov 2017, 09:28

Lincox wrote:The mediator was informed of timescales by CWU on her appointment and was aware that there was no scope for extending if the union believed that Royal Mail were not serious about negotiating. She has had in excess of four weeks to make her deliberations.

The CWU are following the timescales as dictated in the agreement. The request for an extra week might appear reasonable but what if at the end of that week the mediator requests another week?. Even if the timescale was 6 weeks at the outset I would envisage a request for an extension.

The CWU would rightly be criticised for not adhering to the timescale if they agreed to further mediation . We can't have it both ways.

Post by **Lincox** » 23 Nov 2017, 10:00

These talks are somewhat like the Brexit Talks. We all know that there is no chance in hell of the UK getting a good deal. If they did then there would be many countries in the European Community queuing up to get out and it would spell the end of the French/German domination of the European Community. They are stringing things out, getting us to commit to more and more severance pay and we will end up with a very weak agreement.
Unless Royal Mail has made some decent movements towards bridging the gap, and I accept that the Union will have had to have made some sacrifices as well, then extending the time will only weaken the unions position and Royal Mail know that as long as this saga goes on they will retain more of what they want. Royal Mail has never ever come to a reasonable position until the threat of strike action has actually been put into practice. Not carrying out that threat is playing into their hands. Yes I am retired now and it will not hurt me but I have gone out on strike many times over my years with Royal Mail because I recognised that this company only jumps when it starts to get hit in the pocket, which is even more detrimental to them now they are a private company.