TALKS TO END POSTAL STRIKE

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 23 Jan 2008, 11:21

Link to Burslem story

9:40 - 23 January 2008

Postal workers will meet today to discuss a document drawn up between Royal Mail and the union.

The meeting will take place in Burslem where around 100 members of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) have been on strike since December 18.

If it is accepted, staff could return to work tomorrow.

If not, the strikes could continue until February 12.

Lee Barron, Midlands regional secretary of the CWU, said: "Staff have been on strike for five weeks now so this is a crucial stage for everybody.

"The document has been drawn up at a national level. It will be put in front of staff for them to vote on."

Workers at the Burslem depot are taking action in support of 12 workers who were suspended over allegations of bullying. The union had called for Royal Mail to carry out an independent review of the cases, saying it was taking too long.

The company said it was processing the cases under procedures agreed with the union.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 23 Jan 2008, 11:28

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:The company said it was processing the cases under procedures agreed with the union.

I suppose technically if you ignore the witch-hunt before the suspensions, and the fact that one person has withdrawn their statement apparently supporting Royal Mails case, as the original statement was false and was only given under severe pressure, and that so far no evidence has been found in any of the cases that have concluded, then the company would be correct.

However,IMHO, in no way is Royal Mail following the spirit of the agreements, only their literal and autocratic interpretation of it.

baggee · Post by **baggee** » 23 Jan 2008, 16:53

WE HAVE JUST VOTED TO ACCEPT THE OFFER AND ARE GOING BACK TO WORK ( AFTER 5/6 WEEKS ) IN OUR OFFICE TOMORROW, AND WE ARE ALL VERY VERY PROUD AND WE WILL HOLD OUR HEADS HIGH AS WE WALK BACK IN TOGETHER, AND CAN I SAY FROM EVERYBODY AT BURSLEM D.O THANK YOU,THANK YOU,THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT AND WE WILL NEVER EVER FORGET WHAT YOU ALL DID FOR US AND WE WILL BE THERE FOR YOU IF YOU SHOULD EVER NEEDS US, TOGETHER WE STAND, NEVER SHALL WE FALL

johno47 · Post by **johno47** » 23 Jan 2008, 17:00

Yes well said baggie, your support has been absolutely brilliant, you should all be proud because without your help and support, we could not have got to this point....THANK YOU...UNITY REALLY IS STRENGTH.

Fluke · Post by **Fluke** » 23 Jan 2008, 17:21

Are you able to tell us the terms of the agreement for returning to work?

tommymac · Post by **tommymac** » 23 Jan 2008, 18:19

Fluke, we can't give you any details at the moment but suffice to say we would not be going back if the deal wasn't right for ALL conserned. As Baggie and Johno have said THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME ON THE MARCH, THOSE WHO HAVE MADE DONATIONS AND THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN MORAL SUPPORT ON THEESE PAGES. You are all a credit to our union. Many years ago an old teacher at my school said to me
'' The things you say in life and the actions you take in life say every thing about what you are and who you are''
Your words and actions speak volumes. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

Captain Scarlet · Post by **Captain Scarlet** » 23 Jan 2008, 18:27

We up here in Dunfermline support your strength and for standing strong under so much pressure

Hope you been following this Big Al???

Post by **Carnoustie** » 23 Jan 2008, 18:33

tommymac wrote:Fluke, we can't give you any details at the moment but suffice to say we would not be going back if the deal wasn't right for ALL conserned. As Baggie and Johno have said THANKS TO ALL WHO CAME ON THE MARCH, THOSE WHO HAVE MADE DONATIONS AND THOSE WHO HAVE GIVEN MORAL SUPPORT ON THEESE PAGES. You are all a credit to our union. Many years ago an old teacher at my school said to me
'' The things you say in life and the actions you take in life say every thing about what you are and who you are''
Your words and actions speak volumes. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

Someone I knew years ago, who had to fight a major injustice at work, used a phrase that I didn't understand properly at the time, but which I do now I'm his age.

If you don't stand for something, you'll stand for anything

It's no coincidence this breakthrough came just days after the rally. Be proud and hold your heads up

monkey71 · Post by **monkey71** » 23 Jan 2008, 18:43

BURSLEM HAVE SHOWN SOLIDARITY CAN GAIN VICTORY OVER ROYAL MAIL. But as strong as our office is,we could not have got this far without the support from YOU,OUR FELLOW COMRADES,FRIENDS FOREVER. Your support and backing through these troubled times has been amazing,and the financial support also,we at Burslem could never THANK YOU enough.The rally was a massive success,and I am sure would have been supported even more if our fellow colleagues were not at work.But we are aware of their support even if they could not attend.EVERYBODY involved in this dispute,including my fellow comrades at Burslem can applaud themselves and be proud of creating a piece of history.Make no mistake issues with royal mail will continue, but through Solidarity and Comradeship we can defend our jobs and protect our rights,and most of all defend our unions from these management attacks.BURSLEM ARE SO PROUD OF YOU ALL,AND WHENEVER YOU NEED OUR SUPPORT,WE WILL BE THEIR FOR YOU.
We Will have a victory party soon,all invited,the date of which will be posted soon. I hope to see all of you again soon.

GOOD LUCK AND HEALTH TO YOU ALL IN THE FUTURE.

TIME TO GO TO BED NOW,GOT TO BE UP IN THE MORNING!

HootyMacBoob · Post by **HootyMacBoob** » 23 Jan 2008, 20:03

Well done to the lads n lasses in burslem you were fighting for all CWU members, enjoyed the march couldnt stay for the rally as our train was at 4 o'clock so was disappointed not to meet more of our burslem comrades, hope the deal is worthy of your strength and solidarity.

jemima · Post by **jemima** » 23 Jan 2008, 20:11

Well done Burslem

Theres a bit about it at http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=14016

Royal Mail bosses climbdown over Burslem
by Yuri Prasad

Around 100 strikers at Royal Mailâ€™s Burslem office, who have been on strike since 18 December, have agreed to a deal to end their dispute.

Bosses have been engaged in a ferocious attempt to break the postal workersâ€™ CWU union at the office, which is regarded as one of the best unionised in Britain.

Royal Mail suspended 12 workers, including all three union reps, alleging that they bullied fellow workers into not doing overtime.

The deal agreed accepts a key union demand that there be an â€œindependent elementâ€

st postie · Post by **st postie** » 23 Jan 2008, 20:11

well done burslem i hope the aggrement is what you all wanted you got my vote on the ballot paper
there were alot of posties in our office who voted to join you
respect for you and your familys for seeing it through

yorkie · Post by **yorkie** » 23 Jan 2008, 20:36

good luck to you all on your return,to your office

whens the party!!!!!!!

ndoeditor · Post by **ndoeditor** » 23 Jan 2008, 21:21

well done burslem,
as someone before me said you were fighting for us all.
they`ll think twice before they try this type of stunt again.
thankyou and goodluck for the future, there are more battles
ahead i`m sure but because of you we are all a little stronger.
ndoeditor

KawasakiKid · Post by **KawasakiKid** » 23 Jan 2008, 21:29

As a Burslem cockney said 'They will never rip the heart out of Burslem' and so it's been proven! I hope that Ward and Hayes keep their word and go after the RM bullies making sure they never do this to anyone else. Massive respect to the Burslem workforce.-----------------KAWAK

ROYALMAILCHAT

TALKS TO END POSTAL STRIKE

TALKS TO END POSTAL STRIKE

Re: TALKS TO END POSTAL STRIKE

well done