Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/492/2525
From The Socialist newspaper, 21 June 2007
Royal Mail/Post Office
Workers demand action
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Postal workers on strike in 2007, photo Paul Mattsson |
COMMUNICATION Workers' Union (CWU) members have voted overwhelmingly for strike action to defend the postal service, for a living wage and against cuts in working conditions.
As we go to press, the CWU executive have not yet named the day for strike action to begin but it is clear there is enormous pressure from the union's membership to launch the battle with Royal Mail management.
Dave Wilshire, branch secretary of Bristol and district amalgamated CWU branch, told the socialist (in a personal capacity): "The vote for industrial action over pay was overwhelming in Bristol. The branch actually had a larger percentage voting in favour than the national vote, which was 77.5%.
"It's not just postal workers that voted for action. Nationally 73% of post office counters staff voted for action and 66% of cash services workers.
"These are areas that traditionally have not been the strongest areas for the union and the votes for action shows the feelings of members about the need to defend pay.
"As a result of the ballot, there has been a steady stream of applications to join the union. As for applications to join Labour we don't know!
"The union is informing members that this is not a political dispute. That said, co-ordinated action between public-sector unions over pay is necessary and should be looked at."
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, has written an open letter to Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton.
In it he gives the management more time to enter negotiations but he says: "By refusing to negotiate you are revealing publicly that your real motivation is about destroying the union rather than working with us to make Royal Mail a success... if you choose to press on regardless with your cuts and attacks on the workforce then you will be responsible for the first national postal strike in eleven years."
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In The Socialist 21 June 2007:
New PM... same old Bosses' agenda
Brown stresses 'continuity' with Blair
Manchester council swings the axe
Workplace news
Postal and post office workers demand action
National shop stewards' network
Workers must fight Ford sell-off plans
UNISON Leadership get a roasting from angry delegates
Greenwich UNISON wins concessions
Socialist Party NHS campaign
Stop Hatchet Hewitt's NHS plans now
Blood centre workers fight job cuts plan
Socialist Party news and analysis
Something for everyone at the summer camp
How Cadbury's keeps shareholders sweet...
War and terrorism
Palestinian infighting blows apart 'national unity' government
Socialist students and ISR
Have Scottish students got free education?
Workplace news and analysis
Deskilling and destaffing - Tube bosses' dream
PCS leadership recommends new deal to members
Global Warming
Turning the tide for alternative energy
International socialist news
South Africa - third week for public-sector strike
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