COMPETITION REVIEW LTB

[lovejoy]

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS


Dear Colleague,

Government Announce Review of Liberalisation

The Union has welcomed today’s announcement by government to undertake a review of liberalisation.

This is a very positive development that has been achieved as a direct result of the manifesto commitment secured by the Union.

The review provides the Union with a real opportunity to challenge the unfair impact liberalisation is having on the financial viability of the Royal Mail Group, the universal service obligation and our member’s jobs terms and conditions.

It is essential the Union focuses all its energies in the New Year on a major political and industrial campaign to influence the review, set out our strategic goals and continue to deal with the issue of pensions.

The terms of reference for the review and the Panel members involved are as attached.

Please ensure all CWU members are made aware of this information and understand the significance of this development in relation to the challenges we all face.

Yours sincerely



Billy Hayes Dave Ward
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (P)


2007/136
17 December 2007

GOVERNMENT TO REVIEW POSTAL SERVICES SECTOR

Secretary of State for Business, John Hutton, today announced a comprehensive review of developments in the postal services market since its liberalisation two years ago.

Mr Hutton today appointed Richard Hooper, Deirdre Hutton and Ian Smith to carry out the review which will report in the summer next year.

John Hutton said:

“We are committed to maintaining a universal postal service that meets the changing needs of consumers and businesses.

“We believe that opening the market has brought considerable benefits for users of postal services but there can be no doubt that the market has evolved, with new technologies such as email and text messaging having a huge effect on the way we communicate.

“In the light of these market developments we are launching a review to examine the impacts of liberalisation of the UK postal services, trends in future market development and the likely impact of this on Royal Mail, alternative carriers and consumers.â€

[dvbuk55]

Another triumph for the executive then.

No doubt next week they will be claiming to have invented the wheel.

[Big Daz]

The question still remains does affilation to the Labour party provide value for money? This commitment from the Labour Goverment will no doubt be used by some of the leadership of the CWU as evidence that the answer to that question is yes.

When affilation is next debated at conference it will no doubt be a passionate debate.

[BELIAL]

Oh dear , so thats the sop that got the union to accept this agreement.
Talk about putting all your eggs into one basket.
A dame and two captains of industry considering representations from interested parties,such as the FSB among others ,Barclays, Centrica, Sky etc.
And if pushing, the bounds of probability to extremely unlikely ends ,this panel recommends steps that might safeguard our terms, no guarentee whatsoever that they will be implemented.
Pure pantomime

[andy2007]

As far as the review is concerned, I think that the biggest concern is the risk to the USO. One of their Terms of Reference is: "To consider how to maintain the USO in the light of trends and market developments identified"!

That implies, that they could recommend changes to the USO. Quite frankly, I think it would be terrible if they were allowed to do so. Many people in Rural Areas would be at risk of being financially penalised if we aren't careful.

ANY dilution of the USO must be resisted!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

As far as the review is concerned, I think that the biggest concern is the risk to the USO. One of their Terms of Reference is: "To consider how to maintain the USO in the light of trends and market developments identified"!

That implies, that they could recommend changes to the USO. Quite frankly, I think it would be terrible if they were allowed to do so. Many people in Rural Areas would be at risk of being financially penalised if we aren't careful.

ANY dilution of the USO must be resisted!

If you are right perhaps they might suggest a 5 day week USO instead of 6 at present.

[dogfood]

This made me laugh and cry

4. Allan Leighton, Chairman of Royal Mail, will stay on in his role for an additional 12 months, to March 2009. The extension has been approved by the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments (OCPA). His remuneration will remain unchanged at £20k basic salary.

Cry because we are lumbered with him for an extra year and laugh, a basic salary of £20k. Can I have a bonus scheme the same as Alan Please? At least I would have earned it.