Dear Colleagues,
On Friday 11th January a meeting was held in London attended by the National Union leadership, Royal Mail Directors, all CWU Divisional Representatives and all of Royal Mail’s Area General Managers. The meeting was held to discuss the next phase of the Pay and Modernisation agreement following the national dispute last year.
With this in mind we made a presence outside of the meeting with the Burslem banner and some striking and suspended members to show to all that it is exceptionally difficult (to put it mildly) to discuss a ‘fresh start’ with an employer when disputes such as Burslem are ongoing. The idea was to ‘focus’ on what is happening out in the field and to remind those attending that discussions in posh hotels in central London are far removed from the blatant attacks this Union is facing in the workplace.
The response from the Union delegates was brilliant and Royal Mail have been left in no doubt that disputes such as this need to be resolved if this industry is to move forward.
For your information I attach the flyer given out to CWU Field Officers and Officers as they went in to the meeting.
Hope to see you all at the rally on Saturday.
12 members, 200 years service, over 100 striking for justice at work and a union in the workplace – join the march and rally 19th January.
Any queries as always please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours,
Lee Barron
Midlands Regional Secretary
07850 – 247191
Midland Region CWU
11th January 2008
Dear Colleague,
We understand that you are meeting with all of Royal Mail’s Area General Managers today about implementing the ‘modernisation’ element of the national agreement following the dispute last year.
However our dispute still goes on.
Suspended since 11th September 2007 on trumped up charges including ‘misuse of CWU representatives position’ members in Burslem have been on strike since 18th December 2007 and are staying on strike until 30th January 2008, a total of 6 weeks continuous strike action, in defence of the CWU and for justice within the workplace.
At today’s meeting, before you get to the bits Royal Mail wants the most we want you to ask the question;
What are you doing about Burslem?
We also want a commitment from Royal Mail that they will meet with the DGS (p) immediately following your meeting with a view to resolving the Burslem dispute.
At the moment over 200 ‘volunteer’ scab managers are being used to undermine this strike and Royal Mail have stated at Area level that they are under “no pressure” to resolve the strike. They want to beat Burslem by starving them back to work, we cannot allow that to happen. Notice has been served that the rest of the Stoke on Trent area is to be balloted from next week and the Midlands Division has also met to discuss tactics to widen the action beyond Stoke. You can assist us today in our struggle.
All we seek is an independent appeal for those who are disciplined as we have no confidence in the process Royal Mail are hiding behind in order to systematically remove the Union from the workplace. If they get away with it in Burslem then it will be an office in your Division next.
If Royal Mail wont answer the question or give the commitment then how can we as a Union seriously discuss a ‘fresh start’ when the reality is that Royal Mail out in the field is attacking this Union and removing it from the workplace.
We hope that your support and raising it at today’s meeting will help us in resolving our dispute and get the CWU back in our office. An independent appeal through the NAP will ensure justice for those suspended.
12 members, 200 years service, over 100 on strike for justice.
Support the Burslem members.