I cancelled my union subscription

[ssdd]

I have been involved with unions for over 20 years. What many union members don't realise is that when it comes to negotiations, the union leaders/representatives have never managed to negotiate and secure a deal which was higher that what the business was prepared to offer. Never. On top of that, there is usually a trade off in the T&Cs also known as "give with one hand and take with the other". Just compare the terms and conditions of yesteryear with what we have today to see how much our T&Cs have been eroded. If it wasn't for certain EU legislation to protect our working rights and wellbeing at work (which automatically applied as law and did not have to be negotiated by the union), the CWU would have fared even worse.

It takes a strong man not to be corrupted by power. Sadly the CWU is in desperate need for new leadership. They are loosing the confidence and trust of their members on a daily basis.

It's not just our industry either. Look at all the other strikes going on here and abroad..I wonder how it will pan out with the French?

[postslippete]

Its not difficult to get disillusioned with the CWU. Locally, I've seen previous reps agree all sorts of things in the past at our depot in order to try and further their own careers and I've seen a few cross into management. But for every dodgy rep, theres a decent rep out there. I've said it before but the over-running procedure that Royal Mail have isn't fit for the 21st Century and its still the source of a lot of bullying and harassment on posties. Most posties might play into Royal Mail's hands so that we get lapsing/absorption and flexing but there are some posties that want to do the job the way we are supposed to do the job i.e. start on time/meal relief/use trolleys where required/allow time for doing all the admin tasks etc etc and when its done this way - there usually ain't the scope for doing extra. And the buck should end with the posties line manager, but it generally ends up being thrown back at us!

On a National level the CWU seem to be quite thorough in some respects like getting a good strike ballot campaign going, the online interviews on facebook etc etc BUT then they appear to be somewhat naive and inept when the strike ballot gets over-ruled by the Courts (twice!). What was all that blaming the 'establishment' b*llocks for not being able to go on strike?? Terry and Dave give your heads a wobble!!

[Post69]

The problem in this country is we have allowed (through no fault of any union) the anti union laws and this drip fed propaganda from right wing media "all unions want to do is strike" or the other crap that comes from the media "holding the country to ransom" the sad fact is companies have the so called law on their side and basically wear strikes now look at south western railway 27 day strike are the company bothered? Not one bit! A modern day union has to think more than just a 1970's sitting on the so called gate with a banner and a brasier burning whether you like it or not we are predominantly a right wing country look at the general election we've just been through the one thing that stood out at me was the 15% swing to the Tories in redcar this is the town that the vile Tories destroyed by not investing in its biggest employer yet the People still voted them in Times are changing and I have every confidence that our union will recognise this so I'm sticking with them because of what they have achieved over the 35 years I've been a member and look at the shower of s**t we have running the country and royal mail we are going to need to stick together more than ever and a union is the right way of doing that

[aiden01]

The problem in this country is we have allowed (through no fault of any union) the anti union laws and this drip fed propaganda from right wing media "all unions want to do is strike" or the other crap that comes from the media "holding the country to ransom" the sad fact is companies have the so called law on their side and basically wear strikes now look at south western railway 27 day strike are the company bothered? Not one bit! A modern day union has to think more than just a 1970's sitting on the so called gate with a banner and a brasier burning whether you like it or not we are predominantly a right wing country look at the general election we've just been through the one thing that stood out at me was the 15% swing to the Tories in redcar this is the town that the vile Tories destroyed by not investing in its biggest employer yet the People still voted them in Times are changing and I have every confidence that our union will recognise this so I'm sticking with them because of what they have achieved over the 35 years I've been a member and look at the shower of s**t we have running the country and royal mail we are going to need to stick together more than ever and a union is the right way of doing that

Shower of shite running the country and royal mail AND THE CWU..

[Post69]

The problem in this country is we have allowed (through no fault of any union) the anti union laws and this drip fed propaganda from right wing media "all unions want to do is strike" or the other crap that comes from the media "holding the country to ransom" the sad fact is companies have the so called law on their side and basically wear strikes now look at south western railway 27 day strike are the company bothered? Not one bit! A modern day union has to think more than just a 1970's sitting on the so called gate with a banner and a brasier burning whether you like it or not we are predominantly a right wing country look at the general election we've just been through the one thing that stood out at me was the 15% swing to the Tories in redcar this is the town that the vile Tories destroyed by not investing in its biggest employer yet the People still voted them in Times are changing and I have every confidence that our union will recognise this so I'm sticking with them because of what they have achieved over the 35 years I've been a member and look at the shower of s**t we have running the country and royal mail we are going to need to stick together more than ever and a union is the right way of doing that

Shower of shite running the country and royal mail AND THE CWU..

Hmmm you may not be in favour of the CWU at the moment and I too have had moment in the past where I've thought WTF is this all about but overall they have come good! I'm thinking very tough times are heading our way so stick with them because without I would hate to think what back and his disciples/henchmen would do to us!

[cpsteve]

I will opt out of the Labour part of my union fees if they appoint another poor leader, i will stick with the union they have done us proud for years if only the workers would listen but for years we have done our own thing then cry foul when we get more work.

[Post69]

I will opt out of the Labour part of my union fees if they appoint another poor leader, i will stick with the union they have done us proud for years if only the workers would listen but for years we have done our own thing then cry foul when we get more work.

Yeah your not wrong the amount of people bitch on about the job and they actually have to work their actual hours I've just read a text on a family members phone who works for a small business he got the text on xmas day saying "we have a problem with a oven that was installed by us but doesn't work can you go and replace or have a go with repair" he then replied what today (xmas day) can't it wait until tomorrow? The answer he go was "yes today and if you don't class yourself as unemployed" can you imagine that in royal mail

[GRS]

I will opt out of the Labour part of my union fees if they appoint another poor leader, i will stick with the union they have done us proud for years if only the workers would listen but for years we have done our own thing then cry foul when we get more work.

Yeah your not wrong the amount of people bitch on about the job and they actually have to work their actual hours I've just read a text on a family members phone who works for a small business he got the text on xmas day saying "we have a problem with a oven that was installed by us but doesn't work can you go and replace or have a go with repair" he then replied what today (xmas day) can't it wait until tomorrow? The answer he go was "yes today and if you don't class yourself as unemployed" can you imagine that in royal mail

That does seem a bit bizarre and OTT. Unless he was on call and would be expecting call outs then thats unacceptable - what would have happened if he’d been drinking or rolling around drunk which he’s entitled to do on a day off!!

[Tman]

Not if he's on an on-call rota he isn't.

[GRS]

Not if he's on an on-call rota he isn't.

Errrrrrrr........... re-read my post, especially the second sentence. That’s exactly what I said!!!!!!

[Post69]

I will opt out of the Labour part of my union fees if they appoint another poor leader, i will stick with the union they have done us proud for years if only the workers would listen but for years we have done our own thing then cry foul when we get more work.

Yeah your not wrong the amount of people bitch on about the job and they actually have to work their actual hours I've just read a text on a family members phone who works for a small business he got the text on xmas day saying "we have a problem with a oven that was installed by us but doesn't work can you go and replace or have a go with repair" he then replied what today (xmas day) can't it wait until tomorrow? The answer he go was "yes today and if you don't class yourself as unemployed" can you imagine that in royal mail

That does seem a bit bizarre and OTT. Unless he was on call and would be expecting call outs then thats unacceptable - what would have happened if he’d been drinking or rolling around drunk which he’s entitled to do on a day off!!

No not on call just a so called self employed working man who is getting work from an ever increasing number of companies that DO treat a self employed workforce like that because they can and will (this is the real world ) and now boris and his disciples have got another 5 years and have already dropped sections of protecting works right bill let's see if this will become the norm after 5 year of this shitty government I'm thinking a lot sooner but I'll be very happy to be proved wrong that's why I keep with my union!

[Dogbone1510]

Me too got a stage 1 after a accident at work rep said he wasnt qualified to deal with it, I've complained about the size and huge amounts of parcel discrepancies between jobs and nothing happen unfortunately the union only wants to help the lazy gets who will always vote yes and always strike for me losing big parcels can only help.
Its the people who I work with who never have a ruff bag round at there fittings and have 1 oversized per day who should be very worried.

[postslippete]

Its always handy to be in the Union just in case you don't have a great relationship with your line manager. I would say most managers seem to pander to those who help them out with overtime as required and get looked after whilst those that continually leave loops and have general disagreements over workloads tend to get the short straw.

[Lammed]

I don't blame you. I have recently put a grievance in against several high position reps which are working hand in hand with royal mail management. All to insure cushy numbers. We have not had a H&S or an IR Rep on our shift in almost 8 years. Serious failures in equality, welfare, health and safety. I also quizzed the last ballot results as the numbers did not match plus other issue surrounding the local ballot.
CWU H&S Rep carrying out duty of Royal Mail Plant Health and Safety Lead, Coordinator and Administrator if that's not a conflict of Interest I don't know what is. Absolute disgrace all evidence of proof and some in their own words. One investigation no complaints answered all were brushed under the carpet. Now I've been told that I am not allowed to ask for these issue to be re-addressed and for the complaints to be answered. GS-RULE14. I have just resent email to GS-RULE14 and D Joyce..

Extract from previous email received.

Therefore, the union is satisfied with the actions that have been taken and the continuing / on-going activity. Against this backdrop; should you have any additional issues you wish to raise, these should, in the first instance, be brought to the attention of the appropriate workplace / branch representative so they can be progressed in-line with the relevant IR / Health & Safety procedures.

[[[[[ Please explain to me the point of raising these issues with the workplace / branch representative so they can be progressed in-line with the relevant IR / Health & Safety procedures ]]]]. This is due to the fact that the grievances are against the union representatives.Their failures in the equality, welfare, health and safety of CWU Union Members. Nothing more than nepotism.

Mr Joyce is the CWU representation of my fellow work colleagues the CWU Members that make the CWU union no longer count. I am old school and it breaks my heart to see its members being neglected in this way.

Regards

[Chelseablue]

Completely agree my friend , been a union person for years and seriously thinking about stopping subs. From recommending the farce revisions, doing nothing about helping fixing duties, not listening to members , favouritsm still rife ( if you brown nose , ot kings etc) . The stress levels were crazy , destroyed office with joke revisions , still a joke. Then the desperation of the trust survey ! What trust , you never listened to anyone regarding the huge changes made . Sickened by it all .