Socialist Party members in CWU
The Communication Workers Union’s (CWU) long-running dispute with Royal Mail is entering a vital stage.
CWU had announced a 24-hour strike for the 16-17 February which is just at the end of the latest six-month ballot period – and as the union was due to announce the latest strike ballot result. But a legal challenge was put in by Royal Mail and, with legal advice, the CWU has withdrawn the strike notice. This means the last strike date was Christmas Eve, and the earliest next strike date will now be early March.
So, just as we have seen protests against the Tories’ latest anti-trade union proposals over the right to strike, Royal Mail has used the existing anti-trade union laws to stop CWU members defending our terms and conditions.
The CWU has been in talks with Royal Mail, and had suspended industrial action after Royal Mail pledged; not to carry out any compulsory redundancies, a return to the pre-existing industrial relations framework, a full review of all disciplinary cases arising from the dispute, and a commitment to meaningful negotiations during January.
But Royal Mail backtracked and there have been more reps and activists suspended, and some have now been sacked. We are seeing union-busting tactics by Royal Mail which has made many reps scared to speak from fear and intimidation by management.
Royal Mail seems intent to try and smash the CWU and, to rub salt into the wounds, the company has just offered managers – who were recently given voluntary redundancy of two years’ wages, which for many would be a six-figure sum – a nine-month £40,000 contract to come back as ‘consultants’ to implement the changes it aims to introduce. This is at a time when it says it has ‘no money’ for ordinary postal workers.
CWU members are now crying out for us to take further industrial action and members are angry that yet again we have been forced to withdraw planned strikes.
The CWU needs to take the lead in calling for an immediate meeting of unions, particularly those with a live strike mandate, to organise to strike together on Budget Day – especially given the clear support of the Tory government for Royal Mail management.
