What now

[Halfhappy]

It’s all over. The union thought the strikes during Christmas would make Royal Mail fold and make a somewhat decent agreement. They didn’t and now the union don’t have a clue what to do next. If Royal Mail didn’t back down during Christmas then they never will, they are hell bent on these disastrous business wrecking changes and nothing is going to stop them.

Right from the start it's been laid out that this will be a long drawn out dispute. The fact has never been danced around, and has been in plain sight, yet people have repeatedly chosen to insist on believing Christmas is the only leverage we have, it's not and never was. DW even said the words, "We'll strike till next Christmas." December is one month, and from RM's point of view, there's another 11 equally important ones. The only leverage we have is long-term disruption, that's is damaging to any business, in any sector. It can't be sustained, and will eventually lead to some sort of deal being brokered, that is acceptable to members.

ST is relying on everyone giving up. He'll not do a thing till the next ballot. Why would he? He's gonna see how it falls, and I bet he's banking on it being a low turnout, and, at worst, a borderline 'yes' vote.

It wouldn't be a bad CWU strategy to let RM bring in some of the executive changes - enough to rile the workforce and then have a ballot when members are sufficiently angered to vote yes

Of course this is going to happen. ST will begin forcing his change through, this will only enrage the workforce and cause even more resistance. Everything ST has done up to now, has only served to drive a wedge further between between the CEO and the workforce. I can't see the "beat them with a stick" approach being dropped anytime soon. Implementing change requires a workforce on board to achieve any successful change. It's the staff that make it work. Honestly, just a handful of staff doing everything by the book, can bring the greatest of plans to a standstill.

[walthmstowman]

It’s all over. The union thought the strikes during Christmas would make Royal Mail fold and make a somewhat decent agreement. They didn’t and now the union don’t have a clue what to do next. If Royal Mail didn’t back down during Christmas then they never will, they are hell bent on these disastrous business wrecking changes and nothing is going to stop them.

Right from the start it's been laid out that this will be a long drawn out dispute. The fact has never been danced around, and has been in plain sight, yet people have repeatedly chosen to insist on believing Christmas is the only leverage we have, it's not and never was. DW even said the words, "We'll strike till next Christmas." December is one month, and from RM's point of view, there's another 11 equally important ones. The only leverage we have is long-term disruption, that's is damaging to any business, in any sector. It can't be sustained, and will eventually lead to some sort of deal being brokered, that is acceptable to members.

ST is relying on everyone giving up. He'll not do a thing till the next ballot. Why would he? He's gonna see how it falls, and I bet he's banking on it being a low turnout, and, at worst, a borderline 'yes' vote.

It wouldn't be a bad CWU strategy to let RM bring in some of the executive changes - enough to rile the workforce and then have a ballot when members are sufficiently angered to vote yes

Of course this is going to happen. ST will begin forcing his change through, this will only enrage the workforce and cause even more resistance. Everything ST has done up to now, has only served to drive a wedge further between between the CEO and the workforce. I can't see the "beat them with a stick" approach being dropped anytime soon. Implementing change requires a workforce on board to achieve any successful change. It's the staff that make it work. Honestly, just a handful of staff doing everything by the book, can bring the greatest of plans to a standstill.

This is just the thing , Royal Mail are leaving virtually their entire workforce behind . I honestly can't see their changes working . It will be one massive clusterfuck.

[curleigh]

It’s all over. The union thought the strikes during Christmas would make Royal Mail fold and make a somewhat decent agreement. They didn’t and now the union don’t have a clue what to do next. If Royal Mail didn’t back down during Christmas then they never will, they are hell bent on these disastrous business wrecking changes and nothing is going to stop them.

Completely missing the point. Christmas is not as important as you think. Continued action causes distrust between RM and their customers, that’s what hits them hardest. Obviously it’s busier at Christmas but it’s generally busy all year round. If they can’t trust RM they will permanently move their business to other couriers. This is the most damaging factor for RM without a shadow of a doubt.

If these customers permanently move to other couriers due to continuing IA, what future is there for us ?? Less work more job losses!!!!

[Halfhappy]

It’s all over. The union thought the strikes during Christmas would make Royal Mail fold and make a somewhat decent agreement. They didn’t and now the union don’t have a clue what to do next. If Royal Mail didn’t back down during Christmas then they never will, they are hell bent on these disastrous business wrecking changes and nothing is going to stop them.

Completely missing the point. Christmas is not as important as you think. Continued action causes distrust between RM and their customers, that’s what hits them hardest. Obviously it’s busier at Christmas but it’s generally busy all year round. If they can’t trust RM they will permanently move their business to other couriers. This is the most damaging factor for RM without a shadow of a doubt.

If these customers permanently move to other couriers due to continuing IA, what future is there for us ?? Less work more job losses!!!!

Do you think the CEO might have that concern too? This is the leverage created by long term IA. The CEO is not immune to this threat.

[ICEMAN81]

Just a rumour my rep told me a deal is on the table that we're apparently going to be balloted on

[priority102]

Just a rumour my rep told me a deal is on the table that we're apparently going to be balloted on

Yes it's called the best and final offer

[themaze]

It’s all over. The union thought the strikes during Christmas would make Royal Mail fold and make a somewhat decent agreement. They didn’t and now the union don’t have a clue what to do next. If Royal Mail didn’t back down during Christmas then they never will, they are hell bent on these disastrous business wrecking changes and nothing is going to stop them.

Completely missing the point. Christmas is not as important as you think. Continued action causes distrust between RM and their customers, that’s what hits them hardest. Obviously it’s busier at Christmas but it’s generally busy all year round. If they can’t trust RM they will permanently move their business to other couriers. This is the most damaging factor for RM without a shadow of a doubt.

If these customers permanently move to other couriers due to continuing IA, what future is there for us ?? Less work more job losses!!!!

Do you think the CEO might have that concern too? This is the leverage created by long term IA. The CEO is not immune to this threat.

Not really .

He'll just leave and move to another company the same way he's worked for many companies before royal mail.

[Eduardo]

This is just the thing , Royal Mail are leaving virtually their entire workforce behind . I honestly can't see their changes working . It will be one massive clusterfuck.

If the only way you can think of introducing changes is by threatening and intimidating your workforce then I'm sorry but you are not going to get the best from them.
If your best idea of motivating people is by watching them on CCTV and monitoring their movements by other new technologies only to be used as evidence against them in conduct cases then in this country, on this land, you are bound to fail.
English people don't do servitude well.

[Clappedoutpostie]

This is just the thing , Royal Mail are leaving virtually their entire workforce behind . I honestly can't see their changes working . It will be one massive clusterfuck.

And that’s where they have miscalculated all the way through. Nothing is going to work without an agreement. I would guess the board never expected members to still be standing strong 18 strike days in. At some point there has to be an agreement or the company goes out of business. My guess is at some point the board will throw Thompson under the bus, come to an agreement with the CWU and say it was all his fault. Time will tell.

[Numberone63]

It’s has all been worthwhile. Because today I got a couple of CWU pens and and brand spanking new CWU 2023 diary.

[Eduardo]

I mean I dread to think what will happen if the workforce is lost entirely.
Truck drivers, dock door staff, indoor processing, delivery offices.
What's the plan Simon, you're on the big bucks, tell us the long term strategy of how you're going to win the workforce back or if not win them back then what will RM's new relationship with staff be?
A master slave relationship perhaps?
I mean what?
Redlen, what would you do?

[walthmstowman]

This is just the thing , Royal Mail are leaving virtually their entire workforce behind . I honestly can't see their changes working . It will be one massive clusterfuck.

And that’s where they have miscalculated all the way through. Nothing is going to work without an agreement. I would guess the board never expected members to still be standing strong 18 strike days in. At some point there has to be an agreement or the company goes out of business. My guess is at some point the board will throw Thompson under the bus, come to an agreement with the CWU and say it was all his fault. Time will tell.

What management have to realise is that they can't destroy the union without destroying the company . Management also need an agreement or there will never be any peace . All this executive action and antagonising the workforce will only end up being counter productive . At some point they'll get the message but God knows when .

[wandle]

This is just the thing , Royal Mail are leaving virtually their entire workforce behind . I honestly can't see their changes working . It will be one massive clusterfuck.

If the only way you can think of introducing changes is by threatening and intimidating your workforce then I'm sorry but you are not going to get the best from them.
If your best idea of motivating people is by watching them on CCTV and monitoring their movements by other new technologies only to be used as evidence against them in conduct cases then in this country, on this land, you are bound to fail.
English people don't do servitude well.

Except when it comes to being told to wear a totally ineffective rag across their face that stops a virus like Alex McCarthy stops a football.

But, on a lighter note, isn’t Thompson’s contract only for 2 years? He was appointed on 11th January 2021. What was the ‘period of calm’ that the CWU offered set to run until 16th January? What was/is the significance of that particular date?
https://amp.theguardian.com/business/20 ... -and-trace

[needadvice]

This is just the thing , Royal Mail are leaving virtually their entire workforce behind . I honestly can't see their changes working . It will be one massive clusterfuck.

And that’s where they have miscalculated all the way through. Nothing is going to work without an agreement. I would guess the board never expected members to still be standing strong 18 strike days in. At some point there has to be an agreement or the company goes out of business. My guess is at some point the board will throw Thompson under the bus, come to an agreement with the CWU and say it was all his fault. Time will tell.

What management have to realise is that they can't destroy the union without destroying the company . Management also need an agreement or there will never be any peace . All this executive action and antagonising the workforce will only end up being counter productive . At some point they'll get the message but God knows when .

RM can't destroy the CWU without destroying the workforce and RM itself. An acceptable agreement for all parties is the only solution. Peace and togetherness should be the priority for any business. Why can't they just make a healthy profit each year without the race to the bottom

[redlen]

This is just the thing , Royal Mail are leaving virtually their entire workforce behind . I honestly can't see their changes working . It will be one massive clusterfuck.

If the only way you can think of introducing changes is by threatening and intimidating your workforce then I'm sorry but you are not going to get the best from them.
If your best idea of motivating people is by watching them on CCTV and monitoring their movements by other new technologies only to be used as evidence against them in conduct cases then in this country, on this land, you are bound to fail.
English people don't do servitude well.

Except when it comes to being told to wear a totally ineffective rag across their face that stops a virus like Alex McCarthy stops a football.

But, on a lighter note, isn’t Thompson’s contract only for 2 years? He was appointed on 11th January 2021. What was the ‘period of calm’ that the CWU offered set to run until 16th January? What was/is the significance of that particular date?
https://amp.theguardian.com/business/20 ... -and-trace

The Board will simply vote and extend his contract for another two years