LTB 261/22 - National Ballot - Getting the Vote Out - New Text Messaging Servi-

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-261-22-nati ... g-service/

LTB 261/22 – National Ballot – Getting the Vote Out – New Text Messaging Service


LTB 261/2022

Tuesday 14th June 2022

Dear Colleagues,

This is just a short note to let you all know that the Communications Department will be running a new text messaging service from Friday to hopefully aid the turnout in the forthcoming industrial Action ballots.

The personalised, peer to peer service will be used by volunteers from our Executive and National Teams, as well as CWU staff.

The purpose of this LTB is to make Branches aware of this activity so, if you are asked questions on it by members, you can confirm it’s legitimacy.

This link can provide further information if you need it: https://www.cwu.org/sms

Yours Sincerely,

Andy Kerr

Deputy General Secretary (Telecoms & Financial Services)
Chris Webb

Head of Communications, Engagement and Media

[Woody Guthrie]

I don't think this is a wise idea.
Sending out unsolicited texts to members pressuring them to vote isn't a good look.

[Pharox]

Perhaps what the CWU can do, although maybe a little late, is when the local reps check their local members details are all correct, they could double check to make sure they want / wish for the CWU to contact them via SMS. Also, if they send out texts, it's something like 'Just a reminder that you should receive your ballot papers by XXX, don't for get to vote. If you have not received yours, please contact your rep or branch.'

[worktotime]

lets not go down the road of the company pulling any strokes to f**k the ballot , remember last time

[postpersondorset]

if CWU members that work in a Royal Mail Building, that collects / processes letters ,then WHY are they not voting.
We all work in a Royal Mail Building ,the return should be 100% every time .whether its a YES / NO / don't care ,spoilt ballot.
this is WHAT the top reps should be looking at.
sending an SMS will not help get members to vote!!!

if people are of work ,on leave or sick ,may be their delivery person could collect it ,and put it with their daily collection mail .

office reps should know who is a member and check they have ALL voted one way or another and if not why not .

[Clappedoutpostie]

They called me up at home last time to ask me if I had voted. Don’t see a problem with it.

[Gasman11]

Don't see the problem personally, we use our phones for pretty much everything else so why not make the task of returning your vote even easier. Would be highly hypocritical of the employer to denounce the use of modern technology when its becoming ever more prevelant in our working life.

[Woody Guthrie]

Of course we won't see the problem, we're pro-union.

There are others who are not and would be quite happy to report to management that the union are pressuring them to vote or worse vote yes on their own personal phone in their own personal time.

You have to be careful that you're not seen to pressure anyone on an individual basis how to vote or even to vote at all.

As this involves contacting members personally I think it might be dubious.

Funnily enough I think the same guy that was behind the fatal workplace photo vote debacle is the one who came up with this latest gem.

Hi Lovejoy

[Gasman11]

More the fact that you use your phone for so many aspects of modern life, surrogate credit card, sporting and theatre tickets etc. Royal Mail would rather me view my pay slip on my phone than send me a bit of paper, as i said earlier would be hugely hypocritical of them to decry the use of modern technology.

[daveyeff]

well they suggest voting yes will f**k the the business and imo pressure people to vote against I/A. double edged sword. cuts both ways

[aiden01]

Don't see the problem personally, we use our phones for pretty much everything else so why not make the task of returning your vote even easier. Would be highly hypocritical of the employer to denounce the use of modern technology when its becoming ever more prevelant in our working life.

How is the cwu sending a text make the task of returning your vote even easier??

[aiden01]

They called me up at home last time to ask me if I had voted. Don’t see a problem with it.

Did they ask how you voted

[Gasman11]

Consistency of message for all staff especially for part timers, meetings can often take place in the absence of those on the latest start times. Not everyone is aware of this site or follow proceedings on social media. Anything that can drive a unified message is good surely.

[Woody Guthrie]

Anything that can drive a unified message is good surely.

Like encouraging people to vote in their office and post pictures on the CWU Facebook page?

You're kind of missing the point.

This ballot will almost certainly end up challenged in court like the previous two where it will end up in front of an employer friendly judge just dying to find a way to rule it invalid and unlawful.

One of the things you cannot do as a union is put undue pressure on members to either vote or vote in your favour.

I'm simply questioning if this is a wise move from the guy with form for screwing up a ballot.

[SpacePhoenix]

If RM did go to court and get the ballot ruled invalid, would the CWU have to go through the complete whole process again or just run a new ballot?