Royal Mail workers threaten strike action over privatisation

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HUNDREDS of postal workers in Bolton could strike over plans to privatise the Royal Mail.

Ted Stead, branch secretary of the North West Communication Workers Union (CWU) branch, covering Bolton and Bury, issued the warning after the union wrote to ministers urging them to “think again” over the proposed £3 billion privatisation programme.

The Royal Mail said up to 400 staff in Bolton could benefit from plans to offload its majority stake through a flotation on the London Stock Exchange this financial year, saying it would give 10 per cent of all the resulting shares to eligible staff for free.

But the CWU claims the deal is “laden with strings”.

Mr Stead said he expected about 95 per cent of the union’s 300 Bolton members would walk out if industrial action went ahead.

He added: “The pay rise and shares are only there as a sweetener to swallow some bitter pills on damaging changes to pensions and a raft of workplace uncertainty. The deal they’ve spun is not the real deal and postal workers will know that.

“We are not going to sell out our long fight for terms and conditions and our current contracts of employment for pay rises issued with strings, which jeopardise everything we have achieved over the years.”

But Royal Mail bosses insisted “people were at the heart of the company”.

Stuart Simpson, Royal Mail head of operations in the North West, said: “The position is that all terms and conditions that apply now to Royal Mail employees would remain in place, on the same basis, were the company to be sold.

“To provide further reassurance, we will create a legally binding and enforceable contract with the CWU.

“Pay and protections could not be changed for the period of the contract without CWU agreement.

“About 150,000 eligible UK employees will receive free shares giving them a 10 per cent stake in the business.

“This is the largest free stake than in any other major UK privatisation for almost 30 years.”

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[UnhappyGremlin]

But Royal Mail bosses insisted “people were at the heart of the company”.
Stuart Simpson, Royal Mail head of operations in the North West, said: “The position is that all terms and conditions that apply now to Royal Mail employees would remain in place, on the same basis, were the company to be sold.

Which is all fine, until the new company decides it isn't, and starts to cull staff to increase profits to line their own pockets.
It wouldn't take long.

“To provide further reassurance, we will create a legally binding and enforceable contract with the CWU.
“Pay and protections could not be changed for the period of the contract without CWU agreement.

The offer is 3 years I think. Which isn't long and will fly by.
It cannot possibly be legally binding, any new owner would simply tear it up.
So, I'm not reassured in the slightest.

“About 150,000 eligible UK employees will receive free shares giving them a 10 per cent stake in the business.
“This is the largest free stake than in any other major UK privatisation for almost 30 years".

Not interested. The loss of jobs, pay cuts/freezes, destruction of T&C's and severely worse working conditions would make the shares pointless.
Even if they are worth £2,000 WHEN we get to sell them, we'll have lost more than we would get anyway. That doesn't take into account inflation etc.