Royal Mail boss forced to use security escort as strikes turn ugly

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/other/r ... r-AA15xt4z

The chief executive of Royal Mail has been forced to use a security escort after violence erupted on strikers' picket lines.

Simon Thompson is understood to have enlisted security to protect him as he tours Royal Mail sorting offices and other sites.

Mr Thompson said over the summer that he would normally try to accompany postal workers on at least one round a week.

It is understood that his security detail was introduced after a long-running dispute between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) turned ugly in the past few weeks.

Police are investigating reports of violence and intimidation by striking staff, such as the alleged headbutting of an employee, as well as claims that workers who crossed the picket lines were followed and filmed.

Royal Mail said earlier this month that there have been more than 100 reported allegations of violence and assault, harassment, intimidation, threatening and highly abusive behaviour, criminal damage and vandalism since the beginning of the CWU industrial action in August.

Some 70 of the allegations involve CWU representatives, the company claimed, and 35 cases have now been reported to the police. A total of 20 CWU representatives have been suspended.

Mr Thompson, the former Ocado and Apple executive who took over as Royal Mail boss in January 2021, has been the target of trade union anger over plans to reform working practices.

Placards with the phrase “Thompson out” have appeared on picket lines up and down the country after around 100,000 postal workers walked out in the biggest dispute since Royal Mail was privatised in 2013.

Opposition MPs rallied behind the CWU on Wednesday during National Postal Workers Day ahead of the union’s latest 48-hour walkout that starts on Dec 23.

Labour’s Peter Dowd, Tulip Siddiq and Afzal Khan were among those to show their support for the striking trade union.

Meanwhile, Daniel Kretinsky, the “Czech sphinx” investor that is Royal Mail’s biggest shareholder, took advantage of its parent company’s lowly share price by topping up his stake, according to a stock market filing.

Mr Kretinsky’s Vesa Equity increased his stake in the business from 22.1pc to 23.2pc - an additional stake that is worth around £23m.

Royal Mail declined to comment on Mr Thompson’s security detail.

[scoobydo79]

Nice bit of PR and sympathy for a bloke that’s trolled and threatened Us non stop

[pieoftheday]

Normally 'tries' to accompany postal workers on one round a week? Really? First I've heard of this. Can anyone confirm? It's a very vague report, nothing specific, ZZzzzzz..... grow up RM

[Jb1969]

And tomorrow the guy protecting him will have a white beard & red costume!

[qwerty2]

Normally 'tries' to accompany postal workers on one round a week? Really? First I've heard of this. Can anyone confirm? It's a very vague report, nothing specific, ZZzzzzz..... grow up RM

Absolute bull - he wouldn’t even do one loop without crying

[Slim2none]

Maybe should stop touring MC etc and spend some time face to face with the CWU to put a reasonable offer to the workforce! I imagine those security guys don't come cheap!

[fb1969]

Complete bollocks.

[BenacreNick]

Quite frankly he deserves everything that he gets coming his way.

I just wish he would naff off and let us all go about our daily business without any overhanging threats, which it feels like we have faced for the past few months or so.

[Royalman68]

Maybe should stop touring MC etc and spend some time face to face with the CWU to put a reasonable offer to the workforce! I imagine those security guys don't come cheap!

Simon made his final offer a couple of weeks ago to save Christmas, but the CWU rejected it outright without putting it to the members. That's not only wrong but also undemocratic. I would agree the offer was not ideal, but given the dire financial state of Royal Mail, I would have accepted it. It now appears that the union overplayed its hands and underestimated Royal Mail. With Christmas down the toilet, it is fair to say Royal Mail's loss will be even bigger next year, which means there will be more job losses and benefit cuts. The bitterness and animosity between Royal Mail and the CWU are so big I don't envisage any settlement any time soon. Unfortunately, there will be more pain for posties soon. The business can only survive if it can make a profit. How long can we go on striking? If Royal Mail does not want to review its offer. Everyone should be asking this question.

[Slim2none]

[/quote]

Simon made his final offer a couple of weeks ago to save Christmas, but the CWU rejected it outright without putting it to the members. That's not only wrong but also undemocratic. I would agree the offer was not ideal, but given the dire financial state of Royal Mail, I would have accepted it. It now appears that the union overplayed its hands and underestimated Royal Mail. With Christmas down the toilet, it is fair to say Royal Mail's loss will be even bigger next year, which means there will be more job losses and benefit cuts. The bitterness and animosity between Royal Mail and the CWU are so big I don't envisage any settlement any time soon. Unfortunately, there will be more pain for posties soon. The business can only survive if it can make a profit. How long can we go on striking? If Royal Mail does not want to review its offer. Everyone should be asking this question.
[/quote]

You forgot the bit about why he needs a security escort!

The business makes a profit. It shows a loss through some "tactical accounting". I am 100% certain that the books would not stand up to forensic scrutiny. This £1M BS is the same crap that has been spouted before. The last time was Rico, for 3 months, until they found the money behind the filing cabinet.....err sorry, i mean in an accounting error.

They also have the war chest too, don't forget that! £1.7BN is not pocket change.

[Ad_bee]

Police report and video footage please, or else it didn't happen.

It didn't happen.

Fantasist, paranoid delusions.

[Royalman68]

Simon made his final offer a couple of weeks ago to save Christmas, but the CWU rejected it outright without putting it to the members. That's not only wrong but also undemocratic. I would agree the offer was not ideal, but given the dire financial state of Royal Mail, I would have accepted it. It now appears that the union overplayed its hands and underestimated Royal Mail. With Christmas down the toilet, it is fair to say Royal Mail's loss will be even bigger next year, which means there will be more job losses and benefit cuts. The bitterness and animosity between Royal Mail and the CWU are so big I don't envisage any settlement any time soon. Unfortunately, there will be more pain for posties soon. The business can only survive if it can make a profit. How long can we go on striking? If Royal Mail does not want to review its offer. Everyone should be asking this question.
[/quote]

You forgot the bit about why he needs a security escort!

The business makes a profit. It shows a loss through some "tactical accounting". I am 100% certain that the books would not stand up to forensic scrutiny. This £1M BS is the same crap that has been spouted before. The last time was Rico, for 3 months, until they found the money behind the filing cabinet.....err sorry, i mean in an accounting error.

They also have the war chest too, don't forget that! £1.7BN is not pocket change.[/quote]


Giving a false or misleading business financial statement is a serious criminal offence. The culprit could receive imprisonment for up to 2 years, a fine of millions, or both. Remember, Tesco was fined £193 million to settle an accounting scandal from 2014. They overstated their profit. Royal Mail could have gone under if it were not for cross-subsidy from profitable GLS. So if your theory does not hold water.

[guardianangel]

I think you'll finf its the workers that need security with all the bullying and harassment from managers,copying the stance of Thompson who has been intimidating the workforce from the start,this dispute is not going to end well.

[TopperGas]

Simon made his final offer a couple of weeks ago to save Christmas, but the CWU rejected it outright without putting it to the members. That's not only wrong but also undemocratic. I would agree the offer was not ideal, but given the dire financial state of Royal Mail, I would have accepted it. It now appears that the union overplayed its hands and underestimated Royal Mail. With Christmas down the toilet, it is fair to say Royal Mail's loss will be even bigger next year, which means there will be more job losses and benefit cuts. The bitterness and animosity between Royal Mail and the CWU are so big I don't envisage any settlement any time soon. Unfortunately, there will be more pain for posties soon. The business can only survive if it can make a profit. How long can we go on striking? If Royal Mail does not want to review its offer. Everyone should be asking this question.

You forgot the bit about why he needs a security escort!

The business makes a profit. It shows a loss through some "tactical accounting". I am 100% certain that the books would not stand up to forensic scrutiny. This £1M BS is the same crap that has been spouted before. The last time was Rico, for 3 months, until they found the money behind the filing cabinet.....err sorry, i mean in an accounting error.

They also have the war chest too, don't forget that! £1.7BN is not pocket change.[/quote]


Giving a false or misleading business financial statement is a serious criminal offence. The culprit could receive imprisonment for up to 2 years, a fine of millions, or both. Remember, Tesco was fined £193 million to settle an accounting scandal from 2014. They overstated their profit. Royal Mail could have gone under if it were not for cross-subsidy from profitable GLS. So if your theory does not hold water.
[/quote]

It's such a loos making business Vesa bought another £500m of IDA shares only this week, plus where did the £1.7B come from, surely the "warchest" is not being subsidised 100% by GLS?

[TheProgster]

Maybe should stop touring MC etc and spend some time face to face with the CWU to put a reasonable offer to the workforce! I imagine those security guys don't come cheap!

Yes but he’s on £62,750 a month he’s got loadsa money so the cost of security is the last thing on his mind, he’s more worried about getting lynched for being the worst CEO in the history of Royal Mail.