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From The Socialist newspaper, 29 March 2007

Edinburgh postal workers fight back

SCOTLAND NO 2 CWU branch officials have just negotiated a return to work of over 1,000 postal workers in the Edinburgh Mail centre, after a management climb-down.

Gary Clark, vice-chair Scotland No 2 branch

Edinburgh, like all areas of the country, are going through the latest round of cuts and savings. In the mail centre, in an area of work called the warehouse a number of duties were lost. This resulted in the CWU members starting to do the job as it should be done - ie doing the job properly and sticking to health and safety rules.

This resulted in thousands of items of mail failing delivery. Management responded by removing five members of staff from the area and made it clear that they would be disciplined, which could have led to dismissal.

When Royal Mail tried to move other members into that area to do the work, everyone refused. Then on Friday 23 March, scab workers were brought in, which led to a walkout by the nightshift. Management told the pickets that unless they returned to work, to be prepared to be out for a long time.

On Saturday morning many postal workers in Edinburgh refused to touch the "scab mail". This was followed by Glasgow mail centre workers refusing to handle Edinburgh mail. Collection drivers from outside Edinburgh refused to do collections, as they would have crossed picket lines in Edinburgh.

This led to a management climb-down on Sunday morning. They moved their position to where "officially" there will still be an investigation into the five but they also agreed to a joint inquiry into the reasons for the actions.

It's clear that Royal Mail were taken by surprise by the postal workers' solidarity. After a period of constant attack, postal workers have regained confidence in defending themselves.

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In The Socialist 29 March 2007:

Council workers fight pay cut scandal

The 'Single Status' scandal

Council unions reject 2% pay offer

Fighting cuts and privatisation

Stop council's sell-off plans


Socialist Party NHS campaign

PUSH for mass demo


What we think

A simple conclusion from a 'simplification' budget


Socialist Party news and analysis

Tenants defeat housing sell-off

Universities fail to accept state school pupils

Suffolk: Save our schools

London Olympics: Big business bonanza - and we pay

Fast News


Socialist Party election campaign

For the millions, not the millionaires


Socialist Party feature

Hands off our postal service!

Edinburgh postal workers fight back

Workers' fightback to defend postal services


Northern Ireland agreement

Will the new agreement last?

We Won't Pay anti-water charges demo 31 March


International socialist news and analysis

Italy: What future for Prc?

Turkish state attacks Kurdish protestors


Socialist Party workplace news

Airbus walkout - joint action needed across Europe

Reject regional pay

Determined campaigners win reprieve

Manchester Unity Stewards and activists group

Hants library workers fight cuts

Sacked electricians win tribunal ruling

Ealing workers fight pay cuts


 

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