Brwon Must Intervene to Resolve Postal Services Industrial Dispute
On Moday I spoke at a packed rally of postal workers in Central Hall Westminster alongside Billy Hayes General Secretary of CWU, Tony Benn and Mark Serwatka from PCS in support of the postal workers strike action. It is clear that the union has co-operated throughout in working to secure a settlement to this dispute on the basis of a modern, effective postal service. Indeed it is the union that has over a number of years proposed investment plans for the improvement and extension of services to ensure that Royal Mail remains an effficient and competitive community service.
I am increasingly convinced that the management of Royal Mail is aiming to force through as part of this dispute a casualisation of the workforce, resulting in lower pay, longer hours and an erosion of pensions and working conditions. Management has already taken a "you'll do as I tell you, what I tell you and when I tell you" attitude to the workforce resulting in a series of spontaneous unofficial strikes across the country.
The Government has introduced legislation allowing a creeping privatisation of postal services.The private sector is able to cherry pick the most profitable contracts and ultimately undermine this essential community service. The management's response to this pressure is to seek cuts in wages and conditions - a race to the bottom.
However, the current dispute isn't just about wages and working conditions, it is also about the future of the postal service itself.
The Government owns the Royal Mail. It is the sole shareholder. That is why the responsibility falls on Gordon Brown's shoulders to intervene to resolve this dispute.
Yesterday I tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling upon the Prime Minister to intervene. So far all he has done is call upon the CWU members to go back to work.
I think it is time the Prime Minister got to work on this issue. That is what leadership is all about.
I am increasingly convinced that the management of Royal Mail is aiming to force through as part of this dispute a casualisation of the workforce, resulting in lower pay, longer hours and an erosion of pensions and working conditions. Management has already taken a "you'll do as I tell you, what I tell you and when I tell you" attitude to the workforce resulting in a series of spontaneous unofficial strikes across the country.
The Government has introduced legislation allowing a creeping privatisation of postal services.The private sector is able to cherry pick the most profitable contracts and ultimately undermine this essential community service. The management's response to this pressure is to seek cuts in wages and conditions - a race to the bottom.
However, the current dispute isn't just about wages and working conditions, it is also about the future of the postal service itself.
The Government owns the Royal Mail. It is the sole shareholder. That is why the responsibility falls on Gordon Brown's shoulders to intervene to resolve this dispute.
Yesterday I tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calling upon the Prime Minister to intervene. So far all he has done is call upon the CWU members to go back to work.
I think it is time the Prime Minister got to work on this issue. That is what leadership is all about.
posted by John at 4:29 PM
3 Comments:
Unofficial industrial action doesn't help anyone, but Royal Mail should have informed everyone including their customers that they were altering delivery times on Monday. Would like to know why Mr Crozier didn't make an announcement on this, as it’s his idea!
I'm not sure Brown's intervention will be much use. He has made it quite clear he is supporting the management. Indeed he said that the staff should go back on the terms offered by management: in other words the union should capitulate. They want 'total flexibility'. In other words come in when you are told, work for as long as we tell you, do whatever job we tell you and..keep your mouth shut.
What is really needed is a campaign against the liberalisation of the postal market. So long as it continues then the management will continue to seek to drive up the level of exploitation of the workforce, and the service will be worsened.
Your support is much needed John. Well done.
"What is really needed is a campaign against the liberalisation of the postal market. So long as it continues then the management will continue to seek to drive up the level of exploitation of the workforce, and the service will be worsened."
Could not agree with you more Martin - Just to add while Leighton, Crozier & Co cream in the millions of pounds for themselves.
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