[Imc-uk-features] The official Post strike feature proposal.

[Shiar]

On Thu, July 19, 2007 8:20 am, guidoreports at riseup.net wrote:
> Hey all,
>
>
> There is now a huge amount of post strike related stuff on the UK
> newswire. So I hearby propose a feature on the subject. I'm away for a few
>  days, but am happy to collect the related links when I return. If anyone
>  want to get going on this suggestion in the meantime then feel free.

Here, I've put together a quick one, basically cut-and-pasting from the
Brum features.

---
Shiar


Title: Up with the Posties!

Author: imc-uk-features

Image: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/images/2007/06/374727.jpg

Abstract:
<p>Postal workers have walked out twice within two weeks this month, with
picket lines mounted at all major sorting and delivery offices across the
country. They continuing industrial actions aim to stop the Royal Mail's
cost-cutting plans, which the <a href="http://www.cwu.org">Communication
Workers Union</a> (CWU) <a href="/en/2007/06/374640.html">says</a> would
only mean cuts in members' pay and pensions, job cuts and more post office
closures. Crown Post Office workers have also gone on strike twice this
week over Post Office Ltd plans to close further Crown Post Office
branches and transfer services into WH Smith stores.</p>
<p>
<strong>Reports and pics:</strong> Birmingham: <a
href="/en/regions/birmingham/2007/06/374716.html">1</a> | <a
href="/en/regions/birmingham/2007/07/375814.html">2</a> | <a
href="/en/regions/birmingham/2007/07/376279.html">3</a> | <a
href="/en/regions/birmingham/2007/07/376537.html">4</a> | <a
href="/en/regions/birmingham/2007/07/376164.html">video</a> | <a
href="/en/regions/birmingham/2007/07/375898.html">Coventry</a> | <a
href="/en/regions/birmingham/2007/07/376563.html">Solihull</a> | <a
href="/en/regions/london/2007/07/376543.html">London</a> | <a
href="/en/regions/sheffield/2007/07/376571.html">Sheffield</a>
</p>

Content:
<p>
Having tried "every measure possible" to seek a fair resolution to the
long dispute with the Royal Mail management, 77% of CWU members had voted
for industrial action to "force the Royal Mail to think again." Following
the two 24-hour strikes, the CWU has now <a
href="http://www.cwu.org/news.asp?step=3&NID=1758">anounced</a> further
industrial actions aiming at "two weeks of continuous disruption to mail
services". The management has continuously refused the CWU offers of
"meaningful talks".</p>
<p>
Back in 2006, Royal Mail and the CWU had agreed that they would work
together to tackle the impact of competition in the mail market, use
government investment to introduce automation, improve efficiency,
introduce innovation products and raise the value and status of postal
workers' jobs. Royal Mail, however, ditched the agreement, refused to
negotiate a pay resettlement and insisted on unilateral imposition of its
cost-cutting business plan with mass job losses and cuts to workers' pay
and pensions. Furthermore, the Royal Mail management has been deliberately
misleading the public by claiming that the CWU want a 27% pay rise. The
CWU said they had never demanded a 27% pay rise.</p>
<p>
Similarly, over 73% of CWU members had voted for strike action at Crown
Post Offices in face of the "unreasonable actions" of Post Office Ltd. The
Royal Mail subsidiary is planning to privatise 70 Crown Post Offices and
move services into WH Smith stores and sell off or close further 15
branches. The deal follows a trial of 6 'Post Office outlets' in WH Smith
stores. WH Smith is expected to make up to £2.5 million extra in its
annual profits. Post Office Ltd also plans to impose a pay cut for 80% of
staff for a period of at least two years, while offering the remaining 20%
a below-inflation 'pay rise'. There are currently 458 Crown Post Office
branches in the UK, compared to 1,500 in 1988.</p>
<p>
The postal strikes have seen overwhelming support. Over 95% of postal
workers across the country were said to have taken part in the actions.
Royal Mail, however, kept claiming that support for the strikes was
"patchy" and that they had "well-developed contingency plans" in place.
These turned out to be shipping in managers to do normal staff's work, as
well as resorting to rival company DX, which, according to the BBC, had
offered to help Royal Mail make its urgent deliveries over the period of
the strikes, expecting to gain about £10m of business as a result.</p>

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