Postal Workers Can Keep Britain Going - If You Back Them

[TrueBlueTerrier]

By
Dave Ward
https://tribunemag.co.uk/2020/03/postal ... back-them/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Britain's postal workers have offered to become an additional emergency service during the crisis: delivering food and medicine, and checking on the vulnerable. It's time Royal Mail got behind them.



For the third time in three years, the Communication Workers Union have delivered a national industrial action ballot in favour of strike action.

For the second time in the past six months, our postal workers have overcome the limits imposed on them by some of the harshest anti-union laws in Europe to show that too many are deeply unhappy with the current state of Royal Mail, and want to say so with action.

I would like to pay tribute to our members, who refused to be stifled or bullied, and wish to defend our postal services with their combined might.

This is despite CWU members, like the rest of the UK, being focused on the impact of the coronavirus crisis. This is a huge mandate both in support of their union but also in opposition to Royal Mail’s attacks on jobs and services and its plan to turn The Royal Mail into just another glorified parcels carrier.

The reality is that since we embarked on this ballot just two weeks ago, the growing health crisis is changing the country and rightly occupying all of our thoughts.

In recognition of the fact that Royal Mail Group is the only service that connects every address in this country through its universal service, something our dispute is seeking to protect, we have made a proposal to the company based on putting the interests of the nation first.

Our message to the public we serve, the government and shareholders is – we want to set aside our differences with Royal Mail and, subject to prioritising the health and safety of our members, we want postal workers to become an additional emergency service in the UK. We believe this could really help the country in these unprecedented times.

Postal workers are embedded in every community in the UK. They are trusted figures. They are part of the social fabric of society. For a lot of people the only person they will see every day will be their local postal worker – we want to be there for those people.

At present, the provisions for our members are not good enough. Not enough sanitisers, not enough gels and not enough consideration of the situation from management.

We will be making it clear to the company as a matter of urgency that this is unacceptable. If we can get these basics in place and agree the introduction of the very best health and safety protections as well as equipment that can guarantee our members safety, postal workers are ready to help the country.

To reassure our members: we don’t want you putting out fires or dealing with emergency services. But you, like no other group of workers, can connect the country. We see postal workers delivering medical aid, checking on the elderly and vulnerable, delivering local to local services and supporting people working from home. We could also assist with foodbank collections and the delivery of food parcels to those most in need.

We have written to the Prime Minister to confirm this offer. I have a feeling the world coming out of the coronavirus crisis will look very different from the one we have now. But postal workers delivered through World Wars and they will deliver through this if they are protected.

I ask everyone to remember this is the next time someone attacks a trade union or their members. We are the very best of both.

[POSTMAN]

To reassure our members: we don’t want you putting out fires or dealing with emergency services.

[GRS]

Cue the selfish bastards...... “ I hate Royal Mail. I’m only delivering letters and F All else . I’ve got a start and finish time. I hope everyone but me gets the virus...... blah blah blah”!!! Wonder if some attitudes may change if their family members or friends fall victim to this virus. Can’t believe still reading on other threads that people are put out cos they can’t strike in 14 days time.

[twoloops]

Are they say this will be done instead of the mail & funded by RM? Or voluntary outside of work for free?

[clashcityrocker]

With the mail.
It isn't a voluntary outside of work hours thing.
You would do it (whatever it is) during your working hours.

[twoloops]

So you go over doing something else, you claim & RM pay, that what you saying?

[Celgar]

Not quite sure what Dave Ward is on about. Of course we care about ' our customers ' and people in general and their welfare but we will NOT be delivering food for shops and medicines for pharmacies at least not on any formal basis.
The yes vote on the strike ballot is more about leverage to get proper and meaningful negotiations started. Of course if RM are not willing to bend then industrial action would take place. It's probably unlikely we will be doing anything until the virus subsides. It's unfortunate but people's lives and families are more important.

[SpacePhoenix]

Not quite sure what Dave Ward is on about. Of course we care about ' our customers ' and people in general and their welfare but we will NOT be delivering food for shops and medicines for pharmacies at least not on any formal basis.
The yes vote on the strike ballot is more about leverage to get proper and meaningful negotiations started. Of course if RM are not willing to bend then industrial action would take place. It's probably unlikely we will be doing anything until the virus subsides. It's unfortunate but people's lives and families are more important.

I think by the time the virus has subsided, the ballot will have expired so the CWU will have to ballot again

[POSTMAN]

Ok I'll say it, personal opinion obviously and I'm a nobody but...
I can not see a national strike 'going ahead' at least for a number of years.
Royal Mail will dine out on the Coronavirus situation just like many others will around the world for years.
Add falling mail, we're behind on transformations, ect ect.

The public will still be on their kness, 10's of thousands of job losses maybe 100's of thousands around the world for a possible few years to come, and we're worried about lapsing or whatever ( That is what the public will see, and let's be honest 'some' of it could be classed as trivial.)
Different subject but kinda relevant, the Tories have been doing it to labour over 'the crash' to this day, 8 years later.
(Please let's not start on that, I only used it for a scummy example)

Doesn't mean we have to give up and not push push push the business, but.....well....you know.

Like I said guys, I'm a nobody and deffo no expert, just a guy with an opinion, but it's all against us.

[wazer]

Got no probs with helping.Have tge union actually asked any of its members if we want to do this. The union just feed bullshit same as royal Mail.We just need to get on with job,if its too much work to rule.Tge way things are going we shoukd be grateful that theres still a job there for us.

[guardianangel]

The way we are being treated we will all have the virus and our families ,whose helping us not management,Rico,the government,CWU, nope same old story when lives are lost its always the poor .Im sick of leaders and bosses we must look after each other now to protect our family,friends and customers ,if they are not taking this seriously now is definitely the time to walk,the customers will see we are doing it to protect us all.Always wondered when the s**t is hitting the fan we just all line up to take the shot.Cannon fodder.

[PostmanBitesDog]

Now at 240 deaths in the United Kingdom. Right then, is it time for Royal Mail to consider locking down the delivery offices?

[Warning: Strong language]