Is it time to stagger the strikes?

[olilew]

I think the initial 3 (should've been 4) days strikes have been quite effective. Is it now time to stagger the strikes between the operations? ie processing, distribution and then delivery. Mix it up a bit. 's**t 'em right up!' It would cause chaos with their contingency and recovery plans.

[2chorizon]

I think the initial 3 (should've been 4) days strikes have been quite effective. Is it now time to stagger the strikes between the operations? ie processing, distribution and then delivery. Mix it up a bit. 's**t 'em right up!' It would cause chaos with their contingency and recovery plans.

I’ve seen that tried before in other industries “different trades - different days” etc
What happened was when one trade went out the employer sent all the other trades home (clock in clock out go home, managers stood on all clock machines) effectively forcing us into an all out strike that lasted 12 weeks and caused everyone seriously financial hardship.

There are precedents and tactics for this that employers study for strike situations.

If they could hold for a fortnight they would utterly break the workforce and we would be forced to return with our tails between our legs.

Be careful what you wish for

[R5001]

I think the initial 3 (should've been 4) days strikes have been quite effective. Is it now time to stagger the strikes between the operations? ie processing, distribution and then delivery. Mix it up a bit. 's**t 'em right up!' It would cause chaos with their contingency and recovery plans.

I’ve seen that tried before in other industries “different trades - different days” etc
What happened was when one trade went out the employer sent all the other trades home (clock in clock out go home, managers stood on all clock machines) effectively forcing us into an all out strike that lasted 12 weeks and caused everyone seriously financial hardship.

There are precedents and tactics for this that employers study for strike situations.

If they could hold for a fortnight they would utterly break the workforce and we would be forced to return with our tails between our legs.

Be careful what you wish for

They would still have to pay our contracted hours, unless they snuck in a furlough type thing in there somewhere I don't know about, and even then I'm pretty sure it'd be hairy on the legal side. What industry did this happen in? What country?

[DirtyHarry]

No need.

DOs are so understaffed now, and what few staff they do have, so demoralised, all we have to do is what we've done the last few weeks, the natural conclusion will take care of the rest.

My DO is in complete turmoil. Management are really going to have to pull out all the stops, before the usual mad Wednesday arrives.

The deeper we get into Autumn, the stronger our hand will get.

[norris9]

We haven't had floats at our depot for over a year. So 1 day a week mail doesn't go out because Royal Mail fail at recruitment. This is essentially like Royal Mail are striking themselves, but they usually have us to clear 2 days mail the following day. If we have just 1 strike day in a week it causes mayhem. If 2 day strikes in a week - it's a mess.

Staggering strikes sounds like a good idea. I am not sure what the guy that said the company could force us out the workplace for 12 weeks.... I doubt Royal Mail could afford that to happen. Where would they store all the mail / parcels and how would they clear that backlog. + they could lose customers permanently.

[SpacePhoenix]

Don't think staggering the strikes would have any affect any more in MCs and RDCs as with that recent change to the law, RM could just bring in a ton of casuals/agency, so the net result would be 2 days of mail guaranteed for every walk in every DO

[2chorizon]

Overview

Industrial action is when workers:

go on strike

Take other action, like refusing to do overtime (known as ‘action short of a strike’)

Sometimes an employer may stop their workers from working or coming back to work during a dispute. This is called a ‘lock-out’.


https://www.gov.uk/industrial-action-strikes

I'm just telling you what is highly likely to happen if you try to get clever with staggered rolling
strikes.

Get on and try it then and you will see.

[2chorizon]

A work stoppage may be initiated by the union, in the form of a strike, or by the employer, in the form of a lockout. A strike need not be a complete stoppage of work and may include labour withdrawals in the form of overtime bans, work slowdowns or rotating strikes.

The purpose of a strike is to compel an employer to agree to terms and conditions of employment, whereas a lockout is intended to exert similar pressure on the employees and the union. The practical result of each, in terms of the impact on the employer’s business, is virtually identical.

[2chorizon]

One does wonder just how much strike experience some people on here have.
Not very much by the sound of it.

[Woody Guthrie]

One does wonder just how much strike experience some people on here have.
Not very much by the sound of it.

I agree.
If you had a bit more you would know that we've used function specific or staggered strikes before.

There's actually more danger of a lockout from us all going out at once for obvious reasons.

Locking out one function would leave the rest of us in work and still being paid but unable to do anything.

[2chorizon]

One does wonder just how much strike experience some people on here have.
Not very much by the sound of it.

I agree.
If you had a bit more you would know that we've used function specific or staggered strikes before.

There's actually more danger of a lockout from us all going out at once for obvious reasons.

Locking out one function would leave the rest of us in work and still being paid but unable to do anything.

If one function goes out the employer can send all other functions home after they arrive for work and clock in.
An effective "lockout"

My original point was to alert people to the existence of "lockout" tactics.

By staggering the strikes we will escalate the dispute and there is high probability that the employer will get dirty too.

Less than 14 days and you would have 80%+ returning to work across picket lines. This industry is not well paid like others where long duration strikes can be maintained.

[sindba]

One does wonder just how much strike experience some people on here have.
Not very much by the sound of it.

I agree.
If you had a bit more you would know that we've used function specific or staggered strikes before.

There's actually more danger of a lockout from us all going out at once for obvious reasons.

Locking out one function would leave the rest of us in work and still being paid but unable to do anything.

If one function goes out the employer can send all other functions home after they arrive for work and clock in.
An effective "lockout"

My original point was to alert people to the existence of "lockout" tactics.

By staggering the strikes we will escalate the dispute and there is high probability that the employer will get dirty too.

Less than 14 days and you would have 80%+ returning to work across picket lines. This industry is not well paid like others where long duration strikes can be maintained.

But if you are not taking industrial action, you will still be entitled to pay, even if they send us home.

[Clappedoutpostie]

One does wonder just how much strike experience some people on here have.
Not very much by the sound of it.

Correct. You can also say the same about the leadership of the company.

[timbo1234]

No need.

DOs are so understaffed now, and what few staff they do have, so demoralised, all we have to do is what we've done the last few weeks, the natural conclusion will take care of the rest.

My DO is in complete turmoil. Management are really going to have to pull out all the stops, before the usual mad Wednesday arrives.

The deeper we get into Autumn, the stronger our hand will get.

Totally agree. Even before the strike in my DO, there were numerous rounds that had had no delivery for 7 days. Customers are starting to complain (not about the strike but how RM are behaving). I just explain what is going on and that they ring my manager and tell him what they think.

[posted]

The deeper we get into Autumn, the stronger our hand will get.

There’s also this in Gov guidance
“ After 12 weeks, you can be dismissed if you take industrial action and your employer has tried to settle the dispute. For example, your employer may bring in advisers from Acas to help find a solution.”

Doubt RMG would go that far though. Morals/ethics aside, would be a huge brand issue.
Also, I’m presuming with 2 different ballots it would be treated as 2 separate disputes. So action, therefore 12 week clock, for T&Cs begins 30th sept.