Vote of no confidence in CWU leadership.

[scotchy1962]

Lets play devils advocate here, the CWU think that by getting involved with the day to day running of this company they can somehow get you all a better deal.
A lot of members believe that by getting closely involved with the company that the union are colluding with RM to shaft it's members.
And therein lies the problem.
I personally think, and have stated more than once on here, that the CWU are to close to the company for my liking to represent my best interests and it's up to the rest of you to decide for yourselves how you feel.
As for your vote of no confidence, i can't see you gathering enough momentum to get that through, most of the members of this union don't know or don't care about the leadership, it's only a minority who either support or oppose and that's why nothing changes. All they care about is how many ££'s are involved and take it and run, which is fair enough but not good for your cause.
Obviously the union take the stance they do to feather their own nest and believe it will preserve their presence in the workplace.
I think in a company the size of RM that you need a stronger union leadership to get this company to heel, not sure who could take over from Dave and Co that would be a improvement but perhaps somebody would surface, maybe i am wrong and they will get the granddaddy of all deals..... but i just can't see it being good for you all.

[Ren Hoëk]

I think its high time this lot were sent packing and the entire leadership from office rep upwards puts their cards on the table. A national general election as such. Starting with a the re election of every office rep asap. They can explain to their members if they support what is currently happening or if they intend to stand against it and put a vote of no confidence in against Ward et all. If not, vote someone in who will. This can't continue.

Week commencing 30th of June seems like a decent date to do this.

If successful, those reps then immediately call their area reps in to a meeting and put it to them. They can then either agree or be put up for re election with immediate effect. This continues until it reaches the top.

OR

Dave Ward and Martin Walsh can do the honourable and right thing and resign ASAP. It is clear the entire membership has no faith in them and as such will not strike for them. This gives Royal Mail a huge advantage and leaves us with very little bite.

It's not clear that the whole membership have no faith in them.
That is a huge generalisation.
They may make mistakes at times like keep putting dates on when the deal will be finalised, but many also understand that they are the most experienced and respected at them roles in the union.
By dismantling the union from top to bottom now, just as the new owners are getting their feet under the table, will not help us get better pay and t's and C's.
It would have the opposite effect and show weakness from the staff as a collective.
They have been elected into these roles on merit, even if their are some individuals amongst us who may be even better suited most don't want to take on the role.

Some people have short memories. They completely f****d the last dispute. Are you forgetting the part where they called strike action and it had to be lifted because they didnt cross the legals Ts. It dragged on much longer than it should have to end up with a terrible deal.

I don't think its a stretch to say they have lost the room at all. MOST people have had enough of them. There it no faith in them, therefor we will not strike FOR THEM. Which means we have no power because of them.

What ever they have or havnt done in the past, every dog has its day. When its time to go you go. They are causing us more harm than good.

As for the elected nonsense. Not true. Who ran against them? Who elected Dave Ward after this last dispute. No one! INB4 you say, anyone could have stood. NOT TRUE. You have to be nominated by your branch central committee. Not a single branch up or down the country nominated anyone? Really? What does that tell you about CWU democracy. I know of div reps "elected" in the exact same manner. Is a sham. A boys club.

[Ren Hoëk]

As if it couldn't get any worse Ward has now taken an honour from the establishment. You've been warned and the acceptance of a title from the very system Ward claims to oppose proves he's a sellout. Get him out.

Gross. How can a Trade unionist accept anything from the Royal Establishment.

[SpacePhoenix]

Some people have short memories. They completely f****d the last dispute. Are you forgetting the part where they called strike action and it had to be lifted because they didnt cross the legals Ts. It dragged on much longer than it should have to end up with a terrible deal.

You forgot the massive strike mandate they had, then they chickened out.

[SkiSunday]

As if it couldn't get any worse Ward has now taken an honour from the establishment. You've been warned and the acceptance of a title from the very system Ward claims to oppose proves he's a sellout. Get him out.

Gross. How can a Trade unionist accept anything from the Royal Establishment.

The guy is an absolute sell out and disgrace. He should be f***ing ashamed of himself.

[postslippete]

It's not clear that the whole membership have no faith in them.
That is a huge generalisation.
They may make mistakes at times like keep putting dates on when the deal will be finalised, but many also understand that they are the most experienced and respected at them roles in the union.
By dismantling the union from top to bottom now, just as the new owners are getting their feet under the table, will not help us get better pay and t's and C's.
It would have the opposite effect and show weakness from the staff as a collective.
They have been elected into these roles on merit, even if their are some individuals amongst us who may be even better suited most don't want to take on the role.

Maybe not everyone has lost faith in the CWU leadership but it's not a huge generalisation to say that a significant and growing number of members clearly have. There are people who have been in and supported the Union for years (like me) who are now saying enough is enough. Ward and Walsh might be experienced but that just doesn't cut it anymore. Rolling out any of these company reforms before securing anything meaningful in return is giving away leverage and for that reason I believe that the Union should pull these trials that are currently taking place until any sort of a deal is finalised. Give the staff what they want first and then allow the trials to take place seems to be a more logical step.

Obviously, I don't know the internal workings of the CWU like you do but I have been told that it is a bit of a circular system that keeps challengers out to protect the status quo at the top. That's why Billy Hayes was General Secretary of the CWU for nearly 15 years and Dave Ward has now been CWU leader since 2015. I want the union to succeed but right now it doesn't appear to be representing the voice or frustration of the membership, and that's a serious problem. What we really need is for the members to push for structural reform and real accountability. Sadly, what often happens is that the members get disillusioned and end up either leaving the union or the job altogether and that is not a good thing for the Union's long term survival.

[Wullie10]

As if it couldn't get any worse Ward has now taken an honour from the establishment. You've been warned and the acceptance of a title from the very system Ward claims to oppose proves he's a sellout. Get him out.

Gross. How can a Trade unionist accept anything from the Royal Establishment.

My only surprise is you are surprised. Its being going on for years. Its a big club and they look after themselves.

[postmanplod2025]

this jobs finished! people are burnt out its not a career anymore! how can a career be sustained getting double mail everyday is that the future? no such thing as an easy day for a postie to recover! extending the walks all the time, running on skeleton staff is no way to grow a company, its just going run ur workforce into the ground, who gives a toss about pay when theirs no conditions!

[tramssirhc]

As if it couldn't get any worse Ward has now taken an honour from the establishment. You've been warned and the acceptance of a title from the very system Ward claims to oppose proves he's a sellout. Get him out.

Gross. How can a Trade unionist accept anything from the Royal Establishment.

How can anyone claim to be an anti-racist and then accept an order of the British Empire. Anything Ward says from now on is simply bollocks.

[Tman]

Gross. How can a Trade unionist accept anything from the Royal Establishment.

Are you naive enough to think that all trade unionists are republicans?

[GRS]

this jobs finished! people are burnt out its not a career anymore! how can a career be sustained getting double mail everyday is that the future? no such thing as an easy day for a postie to recover! extending the walks all the time, running on skeleton staff is no way to grow a company, its just going run ur workforce into the ground, who gives a toss about pay when theirs no conditions!

[Ren Hoëk]

Gross. How can a Trade unionist accept anything from the Royal Establishment.

Are you naive enough to think that all trade unionists are republicans?

If they had any ounce of self respect and credibility they should be.

[WalkerX]

this jobs finished! people are burnt out its not a career anymore! how can a career be sustained getting double mail everyday is that the future? no such thing as an easy day for a postie to recover! extending the walks all the time, running on skeleton staff is no way to grow a company, its just going run ur workforce into the ground, who gives a toss about pay when theirs no conditions!

[SWIM]

this jobs finished! people are burnt out its not a career anymore! how can a career be sustained getting double mail everyday is that the future? no such thing as an easy day for a postie to recover! extending the walks all the time, running on skeleton staff is no way to grow a company, its just going run ur workforce into the ground, who gives a toss about pay when theirs no conditions!

[Mickeybrowneyes]

It's not clear that the whole membership have no faith in them.
That is a huge generalisation.
They may make mistakes at times like keep putting dates on when the deal will be finalised, but many also understand that they are the most experienced and respected at them roles in the union.
By dismantling the union from top to bottom now, just as the new owners are getting their feet under the table, will not help us get better pay and t's and C's.
It would have the opposite effect and show weakness from the staff as a collective.
They have been elected into these roles on merit, even if their are some individuals amongst us who may be even better suited most don't want to take on the role.

Maybe not everyone has lost faith in the CWU leadership but it's not a huge generalisation to say that a significant and growing number of members clearly have. There are people who have been in and supported the Union for years (like me) who are now saying enough is enough. Ward and Walsh might be experienced but that just doesn't cut it anymore. Rolling out any of these company reforms before securing anything meaningful in return is giving away leverage and for that reason I believe that the Union should pull these trials that are currently taking place until any sort of a deal is finalised. Give the staff what they want first and then allow the trials to take place seems to be a more logical step.

Obviously, I don't know the internal workings of the CWU like you do but I have been told that it is a bit of a circular system that keeps challengers out to protect the status quo at the top. That's why Billy Hayes was General Secretary of the CWU for nearly 15 years and Dave Ward has now been CWU leader since 2015. I want the union to succeed but right now it doesn't appear to be representing the voice or frustration of the membership, and that's a serious problem. What we really need is for the members to push for structural reform and real accountability. Sadly, what often happens is that the members get disillusioned and end up either leaving the union or the job altogether and that is not a good thing for the Union's long term survival.

I agree that the handling and communications around the 'pilots' or 'trials' has been poor and there has been mixed messages about whether they are on board with the wholesale deployment of the method change or not.
It is still unclear what there position is on this and they need some clear communications out to members.
Are we waiting to see if they trails work and ofcom rubber stamp the changes or are all offices to implement regardless and deal with the issues as they arise in each unit.
They are stuck between a rock and hard place I feel though.
Any pay rise or equalisation of contracts will be linked directly to the savings from USO reform, personally I think they need to get it right in each unit before steamrolling it through but I understand their predicament.
in terms of of the workings of the unions allot of the time people don't want to step on others toes.
Many will be friends for years and even if they may be better suited for a role they wouldn't challenge.
There will be a progression through a number of years.
Is that always best for members, maybe not but it's not a closed shop as many think.