union reply to the Hooper stitch up.

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LETTER TO ALL CWU MEMBERS


Dear Colleague

RE: HOOPER REPORT – GOVERNMENT STATEMENT

The purpose of this letter is to set out the Union’s initial reaction to the Hooper Report, its recommendations and the Government’s position.

• Six months ago Hooper published his interim report with the headline that competition had not worked. Six months later, in a report that has clearly been influenced by Government, any notion that competition is or has ever been a problem has been airbrushed out of history. This is a dishonest attempt by Government to cover the short comings of their own failed policies.

• The Government’s statement that they accept the recommendations and will seek a strategic partnership with a European competitor is a betrayal of their Manifesto Commitment. The idea that Royal Mail can only be successful in the future through the expertise of our European competitors is total nonsense. The Union remains opposed to any form of privatisation and will campaign vigorously to stop the Joint Venture.

• The Union acknowledges that we must find a resolution to the growing pension crisis with an estimated deficit in 2009 of £7 billion. We were the first to campaign for the Government to face up to its responsibilities on pensions and we welcome this development. However, we want more information about the detail of their proposal. We see this as an opportunity to create fresh momentum in not only helping the company’s future finances but also improving our members’ pension arrangements.

• The Union welcomes the end of Postcomm’s regulatory regime. However, we require further information on how Ofcom will operate and in particular how this will help sustain the Universal Service going forward.

• A full and considered response will be made by the union's national leadership. The union will be campaigning to ensure that the government's manifesto commitment not to privatise Royal Mail is upheld. We have received reports of dissensions within the Cabinet, and inside the Whips office on these proposals. Jim McGovern MP for Dundee West has resigned from his position as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Pat McFadden in opposition to the proposals. A meeting has been arranged with Lord Mandelson for Friday. The group of CWU sponsored MPs has met and agreed to campaign against the proposals. The TUC General Council; met today and reaffirmed its opposition to the privatisation of Royal Mail.

Next Steps

We will be writing direct to our members’ home addresses next week to explain the Union’s position in more detail.

We will be immediately calling upon the Government to honour the Manifesto Commitment and engage the Union in direct talks on the future of the industry. The Postal Executive will meet next Tuesday to determine what other actions are necessary to take our campaign forward.

Yours sincerely

Billy Hayes Dave Ward
General Secretary Deputy General

[plodsie]

Sorry, but the Union reply to the report should have been to tell New Liebour to forget any political donations from this union and to lobby all other trade unions to do the same. Perhaps Billy and Dave need to have a look round Soho, where I'm sure they can get shat on for far cheaper.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 15&t=13167