cwu Update on EP Group Takeover

[clashcityrocker]

The fact he's only prepared to guarantee our T&C's for just 2 years is a concern,

Isn't this exactly the same as the last agreement between CWU and RM?

[LouBarlow]

The fact he's only prepared to guarantee our T&C's for just 2 years is a concern,

Isn't this exactly the same as the last agreement between CWU and RM?

Exactly. Our T&Cs are not guaranteed for any longer with the current owners. I was as concerned when I read those headlines as anyone, but we will be in an eternal struggle to keep them, no matter who is at the top.

[thefox]

If the Union called a strike, the members would vote for it.

No we wouldn't, no chance whatsoever it would be like striking in an attempt to stop night turning into day

Vast majority of guys in our office including me have said they will never go on strike again.

[chickenwittle]

If the Union called a strike, the members would vote for it.

No we wouldn't, no chance whatsoever it would be like striking in an attempt to stop night turning into day

Vast majority of guys in our office including me have said they will never go on strike again.

I wouldn’t say never again but it’s certainly not going to happen in the foreseeable future after the recent dispute.

[clashcityrocker]

Well, you have mentioned that we should have made more of a fuss about it when Royal Mail was being privatised back in 2013. The majority of staff opposed the sell off back then and we were planning to strike even though the government gave us a stake in the company with 10% of its shares.

Your memory of history is different to mine.
There was never any suggestion of striking against privatisation as it would have been deemed a political strike and probably would have been the end of the union.

[al64]

If the Union called a strike, the members would vote for it.

no they wouldn't, The union is finished

[Barnacle]

If the Union called a strike, the members would vote for it.

no they wouldn't, The union is finished

If the union is indeed finished, then we all may as well start looking for alternative employment because with no one arguing against the needlessly destructive changes being made, then we will have to accept any changes.

However, I do not believe the union is finished. Workers still need that collective voice. We may not be happy with the current union leadership, but we still need the union.

[richietns]

If the Union called a strike, the members would vote for it.

no they wouldn't, The union is finished

If the union is indeed finished, then we all may as well start looking for alternative employment because with no one arguing against the needlessly destructive changes being made, then we will have to accept any changes.

However, I do not believe the union is finished. Workers still need that collective voice. We may not be happy with the current union leadership, but we still need the union.

Its also used frequently for local issues I know they've helped me greatly over the years.

[Barnacle]

If the Union called a strike, the members would vote for it.

no they wouldn't, The union is finished

If the union is indeed finished, then we all may as well start looking for alternative employment because with no one arguing against the needlessly destructive changes being made, then we will have to accept any changes.

However, I do not believe the union is finished. Workers still need that collective voice. We may not be happy with the current union leadership, but we still need the union.

Its also used frequently for local issues I know they've helped me greatly over the years.

Yes, me too. Who else is there to turn to when an issue arises in your particular work place?

[chickenwittle]

The union isn’t finished but its power has been massively diluted over the years since privatisation but that was inevitable. They still have a role to play though and the membership undoubtedly benefits from having them whether you choose to accept that or not.

[Hyrrokkin]

Does not matter who is in charge now - they will continue to erode our t&c anyway.
RM are on a downward spiral and have been for years.
Many do not trust the CWU anymore.

All pretty depressing to be honest

[Mr Rush]

The union is finished

The CWU specifically, I think, is finished as a meaningful entity in the postal sector (can't speak for others, though I heard BT members were not chuffed with their deal in 2022). There can still be a union. Remember, before the CWU it was the UCW and the UPW before that - the circle of life, etc.

[sweepster70]

If the Union called a strike, the members would vote for it.

No we wouldn't, no chance whatsoever it would be like striking in an attempt to stop night turning into day

You're talking for yourself and the small minority who wouldn't. Not the majority.

[LouBarlow]

If the Union called a strike, the members would vote for it.

No we wouldn't, no chance whatsoever it would be like striking in an attempt to stop night turning into day

You're talking for yourself and the small minority who wouldn't. Not the majority.

Unless you can offer anything to the contrary so are you.

[postslippete]

Well, you have mentioned that we should have made more of a fuss about it when Royal Mail was being privatised back in 2013. The majority of staff opposed the sell off back then and we were planning to strike even though the government gave us a stake in the company with 10% of its shares.

Your memory of history is different to mine.
There was never any suggestion of striking against privatisation as it would have been deemed a political strike and probably would have been the end of the union.

More than 96% of 112,000 postal workers vote against sell-off despite each being promised £1,500 of shares.

Billy Hayes, the general secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which organised the ballot of 112,000 Royal Mail staff, said: "No one has yet asked postal workers what they think about privatisation. Today postal workers have spoken loud and clear. "The workforce does not support the government or Royal Mail on selling the company. This company is flourishing in public ownership as the recent doubling of profits proves."

https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/jun ... vatisation


However, I do agree with you on your earlier comment about our T&C's. The Union is up against a rock and a hard place - they don't support a foreign equity company taking over Royal Mail but they also have absolutely no confidence in the current board. But there is no doubt that the privatisation of Royal Mail has proven to be one big scandal as hundreds of millions of pounds now go towards rich shareholders instead of the governments treasury.