Black Friday Royal Mail strike to leave millions of items undelivered

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 24 Oct 2019, 07:53

https://www.rli.uk.com/black-friday-royal-mail-strike/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A Royal Mail strike on Black Friday would cause millions of packages to be undelivered representing a ‘major threat to UK retail’. Strike action is due to take place on unspecified dates across the Christmas period, after the Communications Workers Union (CWU) voted by an overwhelming majority to take action, threatening the first national postal strike in a decade.

As fears mount that the union would strike on Black Friday, new research from consulting firm BearingPoint warns that 8.5 million parcels would have to be handed to private carriers, costing them millions in higher postal fees.

According to BearingPoint’s partner Stuart Higgins, this is likely to have a “huge impact on the British Public. It is simply not going to be possible for retailers to re-allocate volume to other carriers over that period and the backlog created by an additional 8.5 million parcels over that one weekend could take a number of weeks to recover, dependent upon the length of the strike action, when it is considered on top of what is already an operational peak for sorting offices and parcel carriers across the country in the lead up to Christmas,” he said.

‘A Black Friday strike could represent a major threat to UK retail at a time when the sector is desperate for a much-needed sales boost following a very lacklustre performance this year. If the CWU and its post office workers choose to strike during and immediately following Black Friday, their action will have a huge impact on the British public. Though specific dates for strike action have not yet been agreed, many fear that the union will aim to cause the maximum disruption possible.‘

CWU members said they are striking because Royal Mail is failing to meet and agreement reached last year, covering a raft of issues including job security and working hours.

The unions deputy general secretary Terry Pullinger said following the vote: “Just over one year ago the Royal Mail Group Board and the CWU agreed a blueprint agreement for the future, a progressive agreement that included a historic pension solution, a mutual interest driven relationship and a joint vision for a successful postal service with social aims.

“Today the new RMG leadership are breaking that agreement. Our members take honour seriously and have voted to fight for that agreement against those who now seek to break up the great British postal service in the interest of fast-track profit and greed.”

work · Post by **work** » 24 Oct 2019, 12:56

TrueBlueTerrier wrote:https://www.rli.uk.com/black-friday-royal-mail-strike/

A Royal Mail strike on Black Friday would cause millions of packages to be undelivered representing a ‘major threat to UK retail’. Strike action is due to take place on unspecified dates across the Christmas period, after the Communications Workers Union (CWU) voted by an overwhelming majority to take action, threatening the first national postal strike in a decade.

As fears mount that the union would strike on Black Friday, new research from consulting firm BearingPoint warns that 8.5 million parcels would have to be handed to private carriers, costing them millions in higher postal fees.

According to BearingPoint’s partner Stuart Higgins, this is likely to have a “huge impact on the British Public. It is simply not going to be possible for retailers to re-allocate volume to other carriers over that period and the backlog created by an additional 8.5 million parcels over that one weekend could take a number of weeks to recover, dependent upon the length of the strike action, when it is considered on top of what is already an operational peak for sorting offices and parcel carriers across the country in the lead up to Christmas,” he said.

‘A Black Friday strike could represent a major threat to UK retail at a time when the sector is desperate for a much-needed sales boost following a very lacklustre performance this year. If the CWU and its post office workers choose to strike during and immediately following Black Friday, their action will have a huge impact on the British public. Though specific dates for strike action have not yet been agreed, many fear that the union will aim to cause the maximum disruption possible.‘

CWU members said they are striking because Royal Mail is failing to meet and agreement reached last year, covering a raft of issues including job security and working hours.

The unions deputy general secretary Terry Pullinger said following the vote: “Just over one year ago the Royal Mail Group Board and the CWU agreed a blueprint agreement for the future, a progressive agreement that included a historic pension solution, a mutual interest driven relationship and a joint vision for a successful postal service with social aims.

“Today the new RMG leadership are breaking that agreement. Our members take honour seriously and have voted to fight for that agreement against those who now seek to break up the great British postal service in the interest of fast-track profit and greed.”

an excellent summary of the current industrial relations issues of the day...nice one TBT

Post by **Jahpostie** » 24 Oct 2019, 18:43

“huge impact on the British Public."

What major impact? So Joe Bloggs doesn't get some crap off the internet they didn't really need straight away. Major.

Gasman11 · Post by **Gasman11** » 24 Oct 2019, 18:51

Jahpostie wrote:“huge impact on the British Public."

What major impact? So Joe Bloggs doesn't get some crap off the internet they didn't really need straight away. Major.

We deliver millions of parcels a day so a 1 day strike alone would have some sort of impact let alone one that might stretch to several days.

deadbox · Post by **deadbox** » 24 Oct 2019, 22:02

Black Friday / Cyber Monday - Better to strike on the Sat / Tuesday ? Rolling, MC's-Dis-DO's and repeat.

Post by **rambo1** » 25 Oct 2019, 20:00

Jahpostie wrote:“huge impact on the British Public."

What major impact? So Joe Bloggs doesn't get some crap off the internet they didn't really need straight away. Major.

Think you're taking it a bit literally. Think they meant it would do real damage to the high street retail sector who rely upon this period for alot of revenue. If people don't think they are gonna get whatever delivered they may not spend the money. I think however, that they'll still spend it and just get it whenever we catch up the backlog, either that or we'll just lose the business and they'll use other couriers, I mean it's not like there aren't any more out there. If we lose the work though it may be permanently, which would in turn mean jobs going. Yes we can strike for us, now, but jobs will go in the future, whichever way it works out. Inevitable.

work · Post by **work** » 25 Oct 2019, 20:55

rambo1 wrote:
Jahpostie wrote:“huge impact on the British Public."

What major impact? So Joe Bloggs doesn't get some crap off the internet they didn't really need straight away. Major.
Think you're taking it a bit literally. Think they meant it would do real damage to the high street retail sector who rely upon this period for alot of revenue. If people don't think they are gonna get whatever delivered they may not spend the money. I think however, that they'll still spend it and just get it whenever we catch up the backlog, either that or we'll just lose the business and they'll use other couriers, I mean it's not like there aren't any more out there. If we lose the work though it may be permanently, which would in turn mean jobs going. Yes we can strike for us, now, but jobs will go in the future, whichever way it works out. Inevitable.

bit of a downer, mate...if ya don't stick up fer yersen then might as well bend over and let em stick it up yersen...have you even got any dignity/fight in you?

it's just time to kick a bit o s**t back uphill...after all the management got emselves in this mess...you kno...a workfoce disenchanted to the point that rmg will inevitably lose business contracts in the short/longterm AS A RESULT OF THEIR TARDY (NON)MANAGEMENT OF THEIR STAFF'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Don't let them off the hook. They are running the business DOWN on their OWN... we are not standing by them, just as they are not standing by us legal agreements. they can't even mediate properly. it's them that don't care for their customers (or Staff) or the union or the law...anyone kno wot they are trying to achieve???? I can't see how the management are able to suppose anyone (public/staff/customers) will appreciate their management 'style'/proposals/strategic plan...the nob-eds!

postslippete · Post by **postslippete** » 25 Oct 2019, 21:48

From past experience of Royal Mail strikes a one day strike isn't going to cut the mustard. All that happens is that we are going to come back to a load of mail with yesterday's mech possibly put in the frame by strike breakers. What has changed though is the sheer number of tracked parcels that we handle so our managers would be working round the clock to get those delivered.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 26 Oct 2019, 02:36

Only one person is at fault and that is the CEO he has abrogated the deal for his own ends and deeds. If anyone who broke a deal less than a year old told you it is OK and he can do as he wants this is why we will be going on strike. As I don't get a £6 million golden hello or £3 million salary or share options or free health care and the big one is to PAY NO TAX ON ANY OF IT as I am in SWITZERLAND!

lambert246 · Post by **lambert246** » 26 Oct 2019, 14:06

Some very intelligent and well thought out responses here.
I believe the CWU are spending our union fees to get the message out there to the general public that:
This is not about pay, rather it is about protecting a national institution.
It is about principled members protecting their dignity and that of their fellow workers in and outside of Royal Mail.

The CWU has the power; through it's members to do that which will hopefully send a clear message to other blue-collar workers that: We are not going to take it anymore!
The rhetoric of Terry Pullinger is as fiery as Bob Crow used to use. "the fight of our lives".
"Fight is a strong but apt term that re-enforces the seriousness of our predicament.
"our" is a term that used it the context of the statement implies that we will only achieve our aims through solidarity and Pullinger was even more explicit to include the lives of anyone whose conditions of work are not conducive to a happy and fulfilling " life " and in fact are actually having a severe and detrimental impact on all our lives.

Most of the public are blissfully unaware that the strike will be about protecting their service as well as our jobs.

This is the message the CWU are trying to get out there.
How the right-wing press report it will be another matter but they don't have the power they once had thanks to social media.

Go ask a tube or train driver how much he is paid and then tell me that they would be getting the same amount without their union.

Conversely, go out and ask what a nurse is paid and you will be equally shocked that your wage is much higher than theirs. Why? Because this government are actively trying to destroy the NHS and they know that Nurses cannot go on strike.
They are also trying to destroy the Postal service but we have the weight to counter that. The RMT have the weight and the power to stop politicians going to work as well as stockbrokers etc.
RM has the ability to paralyze the letter and Parcels industry with the most power over the parcel network.
Why do you think Back is trying to separate parcel force.
It is strategic asset-stripping to undermine the union's power and without that we are no better than Amazon slaves and who is going to stick around for that?

This is the best position that the union has been in. 97% strike mandate and 75% or 76 % turnout.
we don't want to go on strike as it is equally injurious for us as for Back and the fact that 97% voted to go without wages for the principle's I have already mentioned speaks volumes about our integrity and dignity.

k979aaa · Post by **k979aaa** » 26 Oct 2019, 18:58

The very fact is he is not just here for his package which I have detailed above but has MILLIONS of POUNDS in SHARES so he wants war with us and destroy the postal service of the UK so as to make it like GLS in Europe which he also got a big sum of money from and some thought corruption was dead?