THE HOOPER REPORT - GOVERNMENT STATEMENT

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 17 Dec 2008, 16:18

No. 992/2008
Ref. 24207
Date: 17th December 2008

TO: ALL CWU BRANCHES

Dear Colleague
THE HOOPER REPORT - GOVERNMENT STATEMENT

Please find attached to this LTB a letter setting out the Union's initial reaction to the Hooper Report.

It is essential that Branches ensure the letter is given the widest circulation, as a matter of urgency.

You will see that the Union will also be writing direct to the members' home addresses next week.

Yours sincerely
Billy Hayes Dave Ward
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (P)

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 Secretary (P)

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 17 Dec 2008, 17:40

Can they not see what is happening before their eye's!.The NEW LABOUR GOVENMENT has already decided the course of royal mail and it's staff in one single act of the most up most duplicity in delaying this report to change the recommendations it has shown it's true intention's too us all! We cannot change the mind's of the corrupt and decadent politician's of NEW LABOUR only get rid of this masquerade of socialism and it's hanger's on who so sully the very name and the people who died for it's cause!. It is time the champagne socialist were put to the sword of the nation NOW!.

Post by **dvbuk55** » 17 Dec 2008, 19:21

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions so they say - having meetings with Mandelson and the Government although well meant will achieve absolutely nothing - though there may be some rebellion on the back benches the Tories will carry the vote when it comes to that.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 17 Dec 2008, 19:26

dvbuk55 wrote:The road to Hell is paved with good intentions so they say - having meetings with Mandelson and the Government although well meant will achieve absolutely nothing - though there may be some rebellion on the back benches the Tories will carry the vote when it comes to that.

One Tory MP said as much the same.

BELIAL · Post by **BELIAL** » 17 Dec 2008, 19:34

Excellent CWU response ! Could next weeks letter include a verbatim transcript of the meeting with the Princess of Darkness? Purely for reasons of honesty ,openness and accountability .
Very pleased our leadership has not allowed this proclamation to be buried in the Xmas blitz.
What lucky timing.

Scumbag thinks we are stoopid,1st mistake.

Picket · Post by **Picket** » 17 Dec 2008, 19:49

k979aaa wrote:Can they not see what is happening before their eye's!.The NEW LABOUR GOVENMENT has already decided the course of royal mail and it's staff in one single act of the most up most duplicity in delaying this report to change the recommendations it has shown it's true intention's too us all! We cannot change the mind's of the corrupt and decadent politician's of NEW LABOUR only get rid of this masquerade of socialism and it's hanger's on who so sully the very name and the people who died for it's cause!. It is time the champagne socialist were put to the sword of the nation NOW!.

well said

It seems all our hopes in this Labour govt. have finally been dashed, i remember the night when Labour were elected - their theme song 'things can only get better'! - that seems an awful long time ago now and in that time Labour have slowly drifted further and further right surrendering to 'free market' forces and capitalist business chiefs. Well like K979aaa, i think there is now a void where 'old' Labour once stood and the time is coming when all those that at heart hold socialist principles will abandon Labour and want a new political party who will not betray the working class. C'mon Tony Benn your not too old just yet!!

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 17 Dec 2008, 19:55

BELIAL wrote:Excellent CWU response ! Could next weeks letter include a verbatim transcript of the meeting with the Princess of Darkness? Purely for reasons of honesty ,openness and accountability .
Very pleased our leadership has not allowed this proclamation to be buried in the Xmas blitz.
What lucky timing. Scumbag thinks we are stoopid,1st mistake.

It has parallels of the first gulf war when George bush senior failed to get rid of Saddam and low and behold junior bush after the staged 9/11 attacks went after Saddam and not osama bin laden!. It was unfinished business!. Same goes for tony blair and gordon brown they set upon the course of royal mail's destruction ten year's ago!. Gordon tried again last year now with the recession at large who will oppose him in his quest of profiteering in his spoils of war!. It will not be the cwu but one and all of us not the fabled few who are feathering their own nest's!.