Update on Postal Dispute
4th November 2009
Talks between the CWU and Royal Mail took place at TUC headquarters in central London yesterday (Tuesday) and continue today, chaired by TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.
Both the CWU and Royal Mail have agreed not to speak publicly about the detail of the discussions so far. Negotiations will resume at the same venue tomorrow morning and further updates will follow.
The two national strikes on Friday 6th November and Monday 9th November - involving all 121,000 members in Royal Mail Letters - are set to go ahead as planned.
TUC statement on Royal Mail dispute
Commenting today (Friday) on the Royal Mail dispute, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'As you all know this is a difficult and complex dispute which the TUC has been working with the CWU and Royal Mail to seek to resolve.
'Despite all the pressures of the dispute, both the CWU and Royal Mail thought it would be right to come in again today to explore if we can resume substantive negotiations to build on the progress that was made earlier this week.
'Further work is needed on all sides to finalise the terms of a possible settlement and I have put a number of proposals to Royal Mail and the CWU to consider on possible approaches to some of the big issues that remain in dispute. They have agreed to look at these proposals over the weekend and consult appropriately with colleagues with a view to returning to the TUC for further negotiations early next week.
'In a high pressure dispute of this kind we all understand that there is intense media interest.
'But in my experience it is not helpful to the prospects of reaching agreement for details of negotiating positions and possible solutions to be batted about in the media. Both parties have accordingly agreed to my request that they should not comment publicly on the negotiations while they continue.
'Royal Mail provides a hugely important public service and everyone involved in these talks knows how damaging it would be if an agreement is not achieved. In my judgement too both parties have a genuine desire to build a better relationship going forward to transform and modernise Royal Mail in the interests of the service and the workforce too.
'I hope that these talks which will be resumed next week will be able to make a breakthrough to an agreement that can provide a more positive way forward.'
Romec Cleaning Services Investigation uncovers Endemic Safety failures
A determined investigation by a CWU Safety Rep has uncovered a number of health and safety failures by Romec Cleaning Services. The series of inspections and examination of reams of documentation undertaken by Andy McArthur CWU Area Safety Representative Eastern No 6 Branch uncovered a number of unacceptable health and safety shortcomings in Romec Cleaning's basic health and safety management system.
Andy's final report confirmed:-
Risk Assessments last completed between 1998 & 2000 review date - yearly
Safe Systems of Work last completed 2000 review date - not identified
COSHH Assessments last completed 2000 review date - 2001
Site Safety Policy last completed 2003 review date - 2004
National Health and Safety Officer Dave Joyce thanked Andy for his thorough and in depth investigations and has brought the issues to the attention of ALL Area Safety Reps in a Letter to Branches. Dave said "I want our national network of Area Safety Representatives to investigate whether similar deficiencies exist in the 31 UK Postcode Areas. I'm also drawing the matter to the attention of the HSE at national level in order that the issue can be taken into account the 2006/2007 Royal Mail Inspection programme. I have requested details from Romec Ltd a plan of action to rectify the problems discovered by Andy." He added "I'm frankly amazed that both Royal Mail and Romec Ltd's own Health and Safety Audit systems did not pick up and action such basic blatant failures found in the MK/LU area". "I think it's fair to say that things have progressively deteriorated and Romec Cleaning Services have struggled since Balfour Beatty's wholly-owned subsidiary, Haden Building Management (HBM), acquired a 49% interest in Romec in 2002."
CWU Ballots over Post Office move to WH Smiths
500 Post Office staff across 34 offices in Greater Manchester and South West Wales are being balloted for industrial action over the franchising out of Crown office services to WH Smiths. Assistant Secretary Andy Furey said: “Our members are deeply unhappy over the continuing downgrading of the service and are particularly alarmed at the emerging partnership between Post Office Ltd and WH Smiths. “Valuable public services and skilled staff are being lost to inexperienced retailers who refuse to take on Post Office employees. WH Smiths has no history of providing the sort of services that the Post Office supplies. We are encouraging all local residents to boycott WH Smiths to force them to pull out of these unpopular franchise agreements which will lead to the loss of over 124 highly trained Post Office staff.”
Ballot papers are being sent to members today, Monday 14th August, and the result will be announced on Wednesday 23rd August. A national day of protest against WH Smiths has been organised for Saturday 19th August. 379 members in 27 Crown offices across the Greater Manchester area are affected and are protesting against the closure of offices in Chorley-cum-Hardy, and Ashton-under-Lyne and Altrincham, Cheshire, whose services are due to be franchised to WH Smiths. Greater Manchester Branch Secretary Jim McNicholls said “If we don’t act now there won’t be a Post Office network left to save. 65 jobs have been lost here in the last few weeks alone.”
93 members from 7 Crown offices across SW Wales are being balloted in response to POL’s decision to close offices in Swansea and Llanelli and to franchise out the services of the Swansea office to WH Smith. CWU Chairperson Roger Jones said: “This ill conceived idea has no support in the local area and goes against the Welsh Assembly and Government’s own plans for regeneration in Swansea.”
CONDUCT CODE AND ATTENDANCE INTERVIEWS
Members are reminded that when facing any discipline interview or poor performance/attendance with management they are entitled to a union rep being present. That can only happen however, if you tell us! We have found a number of members who, for whatever reason, only tell us about such an interview after the event. We can only provide representation when we know you need it, management won’t tell us, it’s up to you!
