Burslem Posties Back at Work

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://averypublicsociologist.blogspot. ... -work.html

In the early hours of this morning and behind the colours of the branch banner, the Burslem postal workers ended their six week strike and returned to work. At Saturday's rally, CWU deputy general secretary for postal, Dave Ward, mentioned there was a deal on the table worth serious consideration. At the weekly meeting of striking workers on Monday the local union leadership recommended this deal. Those of the Burslem 12 who were present thanked the rest of the members for their unflinching solidarity, and backed their return to work. On the basis of a secret ballot, the branch voted 63 to 23 for acceptance.

So, what does the deal consist of? First things first, it's necessary to clear up the one glaring inaccuracy carried by The Sentinel's report of the deal. It states nine of the 12 have been given their jobs back, and three await the outcome of an independent tribunal. Unfortunately, only three have been allowed back to work outright. The three trade union reps will face an independent panel, and the remaining six will have their cases reviewed by a panel with "an independent element". Despite the face-saving language for Royal Mail, it is likely these workers will also get their jobs back.

The deal has also secured an independent review into workplace relations within Burslem depot. Whether any recommendations it makes will be binding on Royal Mail is unclear. Also, management have been forced to retreat on their attempt to reduce strikers' holiday entitlement.

In addition to the formal deal, there have been two further advances. One of the bullying managers has been removed from the depot and transferred elsewhere. When news reached the depot he was due to start at, the workers threatened to walk out if he set one foot inside. They tried the same at another Rotherham depot and were met with the same response. So for now, he's being forced to work from home. Second, the objective of management - to break the union in Burslem through "strategic" suspensions - has comprehensively failed. If anything, the branch comes out of the dispute strengthened. The bonds of solidarity and comradeship forged during six weeks of picketing will not be easily eroded, and management will be aware that in future their attacks will face determined opposition. In addition, the union is continuing to pursue civil actions against several managers through the courts.

In sum, can the dispute be regarded as a victory? In the context of unremitting attacks across all industries on workplace conditions and low levels of resistance, yes. It is not a rout of management but they have been forced to retreat in the face of solid opposition. But as Dave Condliffe jr of the local CWU noted in his press interview, "this is only half-time in this dispute". And so it is. Early in the dispute, news filtered out to the pickets that management are planning to discipline a further eight posties, so another dispute could flare up at any time. Nationally, Royal Mail continues to bully and intimidate staff while closing down hundreds of local Post Offices to make the firm look like an attractive candidate for privatisation, which must surely come in the next parliament unless it is vigorously resisted. In the last fortnight we have seen the suspension of workers in Bristol, and Belfast Tomb Street's depot. There could again be national action when management and the union start talking about pensions in March. In short, a battle has been won but the war continues.

[baldrick]

"One of the bullying managers has been removed from the depot and transferred elsewhere. When news reached the depot he was due to start at, the workers threatened to walk out if he set one foot inside. They tried the same at another Rotherham depot and were met with the same response. So for now, he's being forced to work from home."




Well done Rotherham posties!!
(Feel sorry for his wife though!)

[DGP1]

"One of the bullying managers has been removed from the depot and transferred elsewhere. When news reached the depot he was due to start at, the workers threatened to walk out if he set one foot inside. They tried the same at another Rotherham depot and were met with the same response. So for now, he's being forced to work from home."




Well done Rotherham posties!!
(Feel sorry for his wife though!)

What management can you do from home (I think the clue is in the name)?

Maybe he's being used as a waysider!

[baldrick]

Drinking coffee ?

[norbert]

Drinking coffee ?

IT GUIDE FOR ROYAL MAIL MANAGERS

1 . The Indian Guy @ the Call Centre get's p***ed off after the eighth call asking where the on switch is .
2. There is so NO such thing as GOOPLE .
3. You do NOT win lap-tops , all you get is enough spam to make the computer crash .
4. Computers are powered by Electricity , you don't need to ring the call centre again to ask as to where you pour the paraffin.
5. Don't type Hot Males in , otherwise you'll get a lot of funny looks off the Missus & Kids .
6. The Wonders of Technology eh !, MS Word has a spell checker .

[Lounge Lizard]

"One of the bullying managers has been removed from the depot and transferred elsewhere. When news reached the depot he was due to start at, the workers threatened to walk out if he set one foot inside. They tried the same at another Rotherham depot and were met with the same response. So for now, he's being forced to work from home."




Well done Rotherham posties!!
(Feel sorry for his wife though!)

Just another 1398 delivery offices to threaten to walk out on hearing he is to be transferred there, and the Royal Mail won't know what to do with him.

[DirtyHarry]

"One of the bullying managers has been removed from the depot and transferred elsewhere. When news reached the depot he was due to start at, the workers threatened to walk out if he set one foot inside. They tried the same at another Rotherham depot and were met with the same response. So for now, he's being forced to work from home."




Well done Rotherham posties!!
(Feel sorry for his wife though!)

Just another 1398 delivery offices to threaten to walk out on hearing he is to be transferred there, and the Royal Mail won't know what to do with him.

I know what I'd like to do to him, give him a double dose of his own medicine. Hopefully, his comeuppance is due very shortly.

[johno47]

Can anyone from Rotherham confirm that its actualy happened, because it would make all of Burslem office very very happy...UNITY IS STRENGTH.

[royalwud]

anny one know this managers name

[solcat]

Can anyone from Rotherham confirm that its actualy happened, because it would make all of Burslem office very very happy...UNITY IS STRENGTH.

And Kitgrew SALUTI THE BOSLEM LADS N LASSIES

[L Tommo]

BURSLEM IS A SHINING LIGHT AND A PLACE WARM TO MY HEART....


Get the beers in Johno....

[johno47]

Cheers solcat, thanks for that, and welcome back Tommo mate, hope you had a good time.

[L Tommo]

Johno... Gutted i couldnt of supported the chaps on the rally... But you all know i was there in mind n heart....

VIVA LA BURSLEM FORZA!!!

[tommymac]

Great to have you back Tommo. It was a so good to meet you on our picket line. You are a star.

[Big Daz]

Well done Burslem CWU

6 weeks on the lime is brilliant detrmination to geta decent solution to the dispute