SALES BOYCOTT OF HOME PHONE AND POST OFFICE FINANCIAL SERVIC

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Letter to Branches




No: 617
Ref: 101
Date:17th September 2013

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleague

POST OFFICE: PAY 2012 AND BEYOND AND THE FUTURE OF THE CROWN OFFICE NETWORK - ACTION SHORT OF A STRIKE: SALES BOYCOTT OF HOME PHONE AND POST OFFICE FINANCIAL SERVICE PRODUCTS

Further to LTB 603, dated 9th September.

Following the successful sales boycott held yesterday, the Postal Executive has today authorised further action short of a strike. Consequently, we have served notice on the Post Office for our CSC members working on the counter (not Financial Specialists) to withdraw from proactively selling Home Phone and Financial Service products. Specifically, this comprises of the withdrawal of both upselling and cross-selling of the Home Phone and Post Office Financial Services products.

The action short of a strike, as described above, is due to take place over two days, as follows:

Tuesday, 24th September, all opening hours

Wednesday, 25th September, all opening hours

As with previous occasions we have decided not to include Financial Specialists as their dedicated and full time responsibilities are devoted to selling Financial Services products, whereas for counter staff this is a single element of a complex and varied job that has many different areas of responsibility, which they will continue to perform as normal – hence the action being ‘short of a strike’.

During the course of yesterday’s sales boycott, we were alerted to a number of unsavoury incidents whereby managers were attempting to circumvent the dispute by creating a so called ‘sales focus day’ of products not included in the sales boycott. Unfortunately many of the reports indicated that immense pressure, bordering upon bullying and harassment, was prevalent in many Crowns. Indeed, in a few isolated cases, members were threatened with either discipline or suspension – this situation is completely at odds with the legislation surrounding industrial action and is contrary to the ethos encapsulated in the Sales Code of Practice agreement which is attached to this LTB for reference purposes.

As these incidents were concentrated onto a few areas, or were sporadic, it must be assumed that the Post Office – nationally – were not condoning this unacceptable behaviour. I will, though, be writing to Paula Vennells, Chief Executive, highlighting my concerns and seeking commitments that these overzealous managers will not step over the line in the future.

Please send any enquiries to cbowers@cwu.org

Yours sincerely


Andy Furey Dave Ward
Assistant Secretary Deputy General Secretary (Postal)