Why have no strike dates been announced

[redlen]

You make a very good point rebutting people who say people need to cancel so-called luxuries such as Sky/mobiles, etc.

Most service contracts are on average 12=18 months.

You cannot simply stop paying, as you are still liable for the length of the contractual term left.

Stop paying and you screw your credit rating for six years

Rents/shopping, even service contracts increase with inflation, yet the monthly income from salary remains the same

[renrag40]

You are obviously not an OPG as they are paid weekly.

[redlen]

One thread has already been closed due to continued bullying and intimidation from a small minority of posters on another member and attack dog pack animal mentality.

[needadvice]

Suggesting a week or even more laughably a month of strikes is beyond parody at this point. How much money do you need to lose? Already we have lost enough to make any potential pay-rise swallowed up by the time already spent on the picket line. Maybe if you don’t have a family to feed or a house to pay for you could do it, but the majority of posties don’t live with their parents so can’t afford this. This is all the while ignoring the fact that both the union and RM agree that future strikes will likely hasten the demise of the company. So, yeah losing money and ultimately your job sounds like not really the wisest of moves.

I sympathise that it will be genuinley difficult for some but the reality is, people just use that reason as an excuse not to strike, when they can afford so many take out meals, pub nights, holidays...of course they won't want to sacrifice that and that is entirely their choice and I respect that because that's just what we should be entitled to do, but dont make an excuse that you have a family to feed, only to blow a couple of grand on an all inclusive5 star "Luxury" holiday in Benidorm. And I don't understand how people could live so close to the edge anyway, living from pay cheque to pay cheque. Again, I sympathise for those with different circumstances but not so much those who just cream their money down the boozer. In the end, most people are responsible for their own financial hardships via poor choices they have made during their life or because they are terrible with money and not very smart

At this point in the dispute, no response is better than a weak response. A few days of strikes or one week solid would be seen as weak and it would signal the end of our resistance. A month solid however

There's only two options, wave the white flag, or its one month all out. I wish there was a silver lining, but there is no alternative and everyone knows it

You seem to be making wild generalisations here. Living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t mean you are necessarily bad with money. So many factors come into play that it is impossible to say, but I would stick my neck out and say that 99% of the people here could in no way lose a month’s pay right now. There would be next to no support for any such action called. There wouldn’t even be support for a week, because:

A) we have lost enough money already
B) There is no progress to show for this.

It would be a wild swing to think that dropping tools for a week would make the situation any better. We have union negotiators telling us it would ruin the company. It is not just RM complaining about the precarious state of the company’s finances at this stage.

I would say that 100% of people really don't want to lose a month's pay right now. But, how many of that percentage is actually struggling to the point where they are actually struggling? I mean really struggling I.e. no holidays, basic food supplies, no drinking...you know, living on the edge?

I remember on the news a few months ago, there was a report saying how people are "struggling", but they are not prepared to give up their 3 night a week deliveroo takeaways because that is their treat. Have you wondered why Deliveroo and JustEat, Umber Eat are surviving in these times when people should be cutting them out of their lives? It's because they do not want to and are prepared to live close to the edge so they can enjoy a deliveroo, or a nandos.

You would of expected companies like deliveroo to go bust as that is the first type of company that should really feel the effects of people cutting back because deliveroo is unnecessary. But it's human nature not to save, but to spend and enjoy the economy, to get overpriced Mercedes or Audi. Humans are spenders by nature

Jesus, you pretty much sound like the Tories on their crap about if you cut out the Gregg's you could afford a mortgage in a few years. I dunno what to tell you but redirect you on why this whole dispute started. It was not about the terms and conditions, it was about rewarding us for helping out the company during the pandemic in the form of a no strings attached deal.

The fact that it's now devolved into basically striking to the point of basically delaying them and crippling ourselves in the process with nothing to show for it means we lost this dispute a long time ago. Doesn't really make the wounds any better when Ward came on that stream and basically agreed with the seasonal hours and sick pay, major things we've been striking for. You honestly think they are going to change their minds now after airing that in the open?

People are on their ass after these strikes, you can tell by the way people are reacting on social media and some of the office, that is a fact. You might be better off compared to some, but think you will find quite oma number of them would close a picket line if it comes to more strikes.

A month's strike you are basically asking people to not pay their bills for a whole month, no way in hell anyone would be up for that. Not sure how old you are but know youngsters that are in house shares paying rent for £700+, have kids or just straight up joined cuz it was a decent paying job (and it still is compared to other unskilled jobs right now). They are the future of Royal Mail and what you are asking is going to cripple them.

I stopped reading after your first line...

[needadvice]

Suggesting a week or even more laughably a month of strikes is beyond parody at this point. How much money do you need to lose? Already we have lost enough to make any potential pay-rise swallowed up by the time already spent on the picket line. Maybe if you don’t have a family to feed or a house to pay for you could do it, but the majority of posties don’t live with their parents so can’t afford this. This is all the while ignoring the fact that both the union and RM agree that future strikes will likely hasten the demise of the company. So, yeah losing money and ultimately your job sounds like not really the wisest of moves.

I sympathise that it will be genuinley difficult for some but the reality is, people just use that reason as an excuse not to strike, when they can afford so many take out meals, pub nights, holidays...of course they won't want to sacrifice that and that is entirely their choice and I respect that because that's just what we should be entitled to do, but dont make an excuse that you have a family to feed, only to blow a couple of grand on an all inclusive5 star "Luxury" holiday in Benidorm. And I don't understand how people could live so close to the edge anyway, living from pay cheque to pay cheque. Again, I sympathise for those with different circumstances but not so much those who just cream their money down the boozer. In the end, most people are responsible for their own financial hardships via poor choices they have made during their life or because they are terrible with money and not very smart

At this point in the dispute, no response is better than a weak response. A few days of strikes or one week solid would be seen as weak and it would signal the end of our resistance. A month solid however

There's only two options, wave the white flag, or its one month all out. I wish there was a silver lining, but there is no alternative and everyone knows it

You seem to be making wild generalisations here. Living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t mean you are necessarily bad with money. So many factors come into play that it is impossible to say, but I would stick my neck out and say that 99% of the people here could in no way lose a month’s pay right now. There would be next to no support for any such action called. There wouldn’t even be support for a week, because:

A) we have lost enough money already
B) There is no progress to show for this.

It would be a wild swing to think that dropping tools for a week would make the situation any better. We have union negotiators telling us it would ruin the company. It is not just RM complaining about the precarious state of the company’s finances at this stage.

I would say that 100% of people really don't want to lose a month's pay right now. But, how many of that percentage is actually struggling to the point where they are actually struggling? I mean really struggling I.e. no holidays, basic food supplies, no drinking...you know, living on the edge?

I remember on the news a few months ago, there was a report saying how people are "struggling", but they are not prepared to give up their 3 night a week deliveroo takeaways because that is their treat. Have you wondered why Deliveroo and JustEat, Umber Eat are surviving in these times when people should be cutting them out of their lives? It's because they do not want to and are prepared to live close to the edge so they can enjoy a deliveroo, or a nandos.

You would of expected companies like deliveroo to go bust as that is the first type of company that should really feel the effects of people cutting back because deliveroo is unnecessary. But it's human nature not to save, but to spend and enjoy the economy, to get overpriced Mercedes or Audi. Humans are spenders by nature

Why are you supporting strike action designed around an increased pay deal if just giving up a couple of takeaways would make everything ok? You really do sound completely removed from reality.

What is your solution? Please tell me what the options are?

[redlen]

Deliveroo and JustEat, Umber Eat are surviving because not only do they charge a small delivery fee that pays for the drivers, they also charge a large % administration fee to the takeaway shop as a service charge that eats into that profits of that business

[Shadedpostie]

Suggesting a week or even more laughably a month of strikes is beyond parody at this point. How much money do you need to lose? Already we have lost enough to make any potential pay-rise swallowed up by the time already spent on the picket line. Maybe if you don’t have a family to feed or a house to pay for you could do it, but the majority of posties don’t live with their parents so can’t afford this. This is all the while ignoring the fact that both the union and RM agree that future strikes will likely hasten the demise of the company. So, yeah losing money and ultimately your job sounds like not really the wisest of moves.

I sympathise that it will be genuinley difficult for some but the reality is, people just use that reason as an excuse not to strike, when they can afford so many take out meals, pub nights, holidays...of course they won't want to sacrifice that and that is entirely their choice and I respect that because that's just what we should be entitled to do, but dont make an excuse that you have a family to feed, only to blow a couple of grand on an all inclusive5 star "Luxury" holiday in Benidorm. And I don't understand how people could live so close to the edge anyway, living from pay cheque to pay cheque. Again, I sympathise for those with different circumstances but not so much those who just cream their money down the boozer. In the end, most people are responsible for their own financial hardships via poor choices they have made during their life or because they are terrible with money and not very smart

At this point in the dispute, no response is better than a weak response. A few days of strikes or one week solid would be seen as weak and it would signal the end of our resistance. A month solid however

There's only two options, wave the white flag, or its one month all out. I wish there was a silver lining, but there is no alternative and everyone knows it

You seem to be making wild generalisations here. Living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t mean you are necessarily bad with money. So many factors come into play that it is impossible to say, but I would stick my neck out and say that 99% of the people here could in no way lose a month’s pay right now. There would be next to no support for any such action called. There wouldn’t even be support for a week, because:

A) we have lost enough money already
B) There is no progress to show for this.

It would be a wild swing to think that dropping tools for a week would make the situation any better. We have union negotiators telling us it would ruin the company. It is not just RM complaining about the precarious state of the company’s finances at this stage.

I would say that 100% of people really don't want to lose a month's pay right now. But, how many of that percentage is actually struggling to the point where they are actually struggling? I mean really struggling I.e. no holidays, basic food supplies, no drinking...you know, living on the edge?

I remember on the news a few months ago, there was a report saying how people are "struggling", but they are not prepared to give up their 3 night a week deliveroo takeaways because that is their treat. Have you wondered why Deliveroo and JustEat, Umber Eat are surviving in these times when people should be cutting them out of their lives? It's because they do not want to and are prepared to live close to the edge so they can enjoy a deliveroo, or a nandos.

You would of expected companies like deliveroo to go bust as that is the first type of company that should really feel the effects of people cutting back because deliveroo is unnecessary. But it's human nature not to save, but to spend and enjoy the economy, to get overpriced Mercedes or Audi. Humans are spenders by nature

Jesus, you pretty much sound like the Tories on their crap about if you cut out the Gregg's you could afford a mortgage in a few years. I dunno what to tell you but redirect you on why this whole dispute started. It was not about the terms and conditions, it was about rewarding us for helping out the company during the pandemic in the form of a no strings attached deal.

The fact that it's now devolved into basically striking to the point of basically delaying them and crippling ourselves in the process with nothing to show for it means we lost this dispute a long time ago. Doesn't really make the wounds any better when Ward came on that stream and basically agreed with the seasonal hours and sick pay, major things we've been striking for. You honestly think they are going to change their minds now after airing that in the open?

People are on their ass after these strikes, you can tell by the way people are reacting on social media and some of the office, that is a fact. You might be better off compared to some, but think you will find quite oma number of them would close a picket line if it comes to more strikes.

A month's strike you are basically asking people to not pay their bills for a whole month, no way in hell anyone would be up for that. Not sure how old you are but know youngsters that are in house shares paying rent for £700+, have kids or just straight up joined cuz it was a decent paying job (and it still is compared to other unskilled jobs right now). They are the future of Royal Mail and what you are asking is going to cripple them.

I stopped reading after your first line...

Because I compared your ideals to the Tories? Because they are practically identical to what they would say. Instead of taking into account that some people aren't as well off, the younger generation especially, you have basically gone on the default on "well if you's didn't spend this much on that you'd be able to afford it". It's even broken down in a post before this one that young workers are now basically renting out on average more than half their wages and that's before paying for food and insurance. You think they are living above their means??? I'd honestly consider what's been said instead of choosing to ignore this and wanting to go on strike cuz it suits you fine. Solidarity, or so we say right at the union???? I seriously hope you are donating to the strike fund if you are this big on a month's strike.

[FilthyBloke]

Suggesting a week or even more laughably a month of strikes is beyond parody at this point. How much money do you need to lose? Already we have lost enough to make any potential pay-rise swallowed up by the time already spent on the picket line. Maybe if you don’t have a family to feed or a house to pay for you could do it, but the majority of posties don’t live with their parents so can’t afford this. This is all the while ignoring the fact that both the union and RM agree that future strikes will likely hasten the demise of the company. So, yeah losing money and ultimately your job sounds like not really the wisest of moves.

I sympathise that it will be genuinley difficult for some but the reality is, people just use that reason as an excuse not to strike, when they can afford so many take out meals, pub nights, holidays...of course they won't want to sacrifice that and that is entirely their choice and I respect that because that's just what we should be entitled to do, but dont make an excuse that you have a family to feed, only to blow a couple of grand on an all inclusive5 star "Luxury" holiday in Benidorm. And I don't understand how people could live so close to the edge anyway, living from pay cheque to pay cheque. Again, I sympathise for those with different circumstances but not so much those who just cream their money down the boozer. In the end, most people are responsible for their own financial hardships via poor choices they have made during their life or because they are terrible with money and not very smart

At this point in the dispute, no response is better than a weak response. A few days of strikes or one week solid would be seen as weak and it would signal the end of our resistance. A month solid however

There's only two options, wave the white flag, or its one month all out. I wish there was a silver lining, but there is no alternative and everyone knows it

You seem to be making wild generalisations here. Living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t mean you are necessarily bad with money. So many factors come into play that it is impossible to say, but I would stick my neck out and say that 99% of the people here could in no way lose a month’s pay right now. There would be next to no support for any such action called. There wouldn’t even be support for a week, because:

A) we have lost enough money already
B) There is no progress to show for this.

It would be a wild swing to think that dropping tools for a week would make the situation any better. We have union negotiators telling us it would ruin the company. It is not just RM complaining about the precarious state of the company’s finances at this stage.

I would say that 100% of people really don't want to lose a month's pay right now. But, how many of that percentage is actually struggling to the point where they are actually struggling? I mean really struggling I.e. no holidays, basic food supplies, no drinking...you know, living on the edge?

I remember on the news a few months ago, there was a report saying how people are "struggling", but they are not prepared to give up their 3 night a week deliveroo takeaways because that is their treat. Have you wondered why Deliveroo and JustEat, Umber Eat are surviving in these times when people should be cutting them out of their lives? It's because they do not want to and are prepared to live close to the edge so they can enjoy a deliveroo, or a nandos.

You would of expected companies like deliveroo to go bust as that is the first type of company that should really feel the effects of people cutting back because deliveroo is unnecessary. But it's human nature not to save, but to spend and enjoy the economy, to get overpriced Mercedes or Audi. Humans are spenders by nature

Jesus, you pretty much sound like the Tories on their crap about if you cut out the Gregg's you could afford a mortgage in a few years. I dunno what to tell you but redirect you on why this whole dispute started. It was not about the terms and conditions, it was about rewarding us for helping out the company during the pandemic in the form of a no strings attached deal.

The fact that it's now devolved into basically striking to the point of basically delaying them and crippling ourselves in the process with nothing to show for it means we lost this dispute a long time ago. Doesn't really make the wounds any better when Ward came on that stream and basically agreed with the seasonal hours and sick pay, major things we've been striking for. You honestly think they are going to change their minds now after airing that in the open?

People are on their ass after these strikes, you can tell by the way people are reacting on social media and some of the office, that is a fact. You might be better off compared to some, but think you will find quite oma number of them would close a picket line if it comes to more strikes.

A month's strike you are basically asking people to not pay their bills for a whole month, no way in hell anyone would be up for that. Not sure how old you are but know youngsters that are in house shares paying rent for £700+, have kids or just straight up joined cuz it was a decent paying job (and it still is compared to other unskilled jobs right now). They are the future of Royal Mail and what you are asking is going to cripple them.

I stopped reading after your first line...

Because I compared your ideals to the Tories? Because they are practically identical to what they would say. Instead of taking into account that some people aren't as well off, the younger generation especially, you have basically gone on the default on "well if you's didn't spend this much on that you'd be able to afford it". It's even broken down in a post before this one that young workers are now basically renting out on average more than half their wages and that's before paying for food and insurance. You think they are living above their means??? I'd honestly consider what's been said instead of choosing to ignore this and wanting to go on strike cuz it suits you fine. Solidarity, or so we say right at the union????

There is no solidarity. Iv said that from the beginning. I’m in it for myself and won’t be pressured into losing money for terms and conditions when most of the workforce do not give a Damn about anyone or anything other than themselves and their duty.
Some people can’t afford to go on strike yet the pressure to not go into work was immense. It’s solidarity but only if you follow their lead. They are against bullying as long as you don’t cross the picket. They care about mental health as long as you don’t cross the picket as well.

Like other people have said some posties are locked into these contracts or have just had their energy bills and mortgage increase massively. They may have young families or be a carer. These are the priorities. Not letting your family suffer because you don’t want to be ignored and bullied at work.

My outlook has always been do what’s best for your family and mental health first. Your colleagues should come second. If people want to stand behind empty slogans and the mob mentality instead then that’s their choice.

[clashcityrocker]

My outlook has always been do what’s best for your family and mental health first.

But did you need to quote the 7 (fairly long) preceding posts in order to make your point?

[FilthyBloke]

My outlook has always been do what’s best for your family and mental health first.

But did you need to quote the 7 (fairly long) preceding posts in order to make your point?

Clearly.

On a side issue are there even any plans to talk arranged this week?

[Shadedpostie]

Suggesting a week or even more laughably a month of strikes is beyond parody at this point. How much money do you need to lose? Already we have lost enough to make any potential pay-rise swallowed up by the time already spent on the picket line. Maybe if you don’t have a family to feed or a house to pay for you could do it, but the majority of posties don’t live with their parents so can’t afford this. This is all the while ignoring the fact that both the union and RM agree that future strikes will likely hasten the demise of the company. So, yeah losing money and ultimately your job sounds like not really the wisest of moves.

I sympathise that it will be genuinley difficult for some but the reality is, people just use that reason as an excuse not to strike, when they can afford so many take out meals, pub nights, holidays...of course they won't want to sacrifice that and that is entirely their choice and I respect that because that's just what we should be entitled to do, but dont make an excuse that you have a family to feed, only to blow a couple of grand on an all inclusive5 star "Luxury" holiday in Benidorm. And I don't understand how people could live so close to the edge anyway, living from pay cheque to pay cheque. Again, I sympathise for those with different circumstances but not so much those who just cream their money down the boozer. In the end, most people are responsible for their own financial hardships via poor choices they have made during their life or because they are terrible with money and not very smart

At this point in the dispute, no response is better than a weak response. A few days of strikes or one week solid would be seen as weak and it would signal the end of our resistance. A month solid however

There's only two options, wave the white flag, or its one month all out. I wish there was a silver lining, but there is no alternative and everyone knows it

You seem to be making wild generalisations here. Living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t mean you are necessarily bad with money. So many factors come into play that it is impossible to say, but I would stick my neck out and say that 99% of the people here could in no way lose a month’s pay right now. There would be next to no support for any such action called. There wouldn’t even be support for a week, because:

A) we have lost enough money already
B) There is no progress to show for this.

It would be a wild swing to think that dropping tools for a week would make the situation any better. We have union negotiators telling us it would ruin the company. It is not just RM complaining about the precarious state of the company’s finances at this stage.

I would say that 100% of people really don't want to lose a month's pay right now. But, how many of that percentage is actually struggling to the point where they are actually struggling? I mean really struggling I.e. no holidays, basic food supplies, no drinking...you know, living on the edge?

I remember on the news a few months ago, there was a report saying how people are "struggling", but they are not prepared to give up their 3 night a week deliveroo takeaways because that is their treat. Have you wondered why Deliveroo and JustEat, Umber Eat are surviving in these times when people should be cutting them out of their lives? It's because they do not want to and are prepared to live close to the edge so they can enjoy a deliveroo, or a nandos.

You would of expected companies like deliveroo to go bust as that is the first type of company that should really feel the effects of people cutting back because deliveroo is unnecessary. But it's human nature not to save, but to spend and enjoy the economy, to get overpriced Mercedes or Audi. Humans are spenders by nature

Jesus, you pretty much sound like the Tories on their crap about if you cut out the Gregg's you could afford a mortgage in a few years. I dunno what to tell you but redirect you on why this whole dispute started. It was not about the terms and conditions, it was about rewarding us for helping out the company during the pandemic in the form of a no strings attached deal.

The fact that it's now devolved into basically striking to the point of basically delaying them and crippling ourselves in the process with nothing to show for it means we lost this dispute a long time ago. Doesn't really make the wounds any better when Ward came on that stream and basically agreed with the seasonal hours and sick pay, major things we've been striking for. You honestly think they are going to change their minds now after airing that in the open?

People are on their ass after these strikes, you can tell by the way people are reacting on social media and some of the office, that is a fact. You might be better off compared to some, but think you will find quite oma number of them would close a picket line if it comes to more strikes.

A month's strike you are basically asking people to not pay their bills for a whole month, no way in hell anyone would be up for that. Not sure how old you are but know youngsters that are in house shares paying rent for £700+, have kids or just straight up joined cuz it was a decent paying job (and it still is compared to other unskilled jobs right now). They are the future of Royal Mail and what you are asking is going to cripple them.

I stopped reading after your first line...

Because I compared your ideals to the Tories? Because they are practically identical to what they would say. Instead of taking into account that some people aren't as well off, the younger generation especially, you have basically gone on the default on "well if you's didn't spend this much on that you'd be able to afford it". It's even broken down in a post before this one that young workers are now basically renting out on average more than half their wages and that's before paying for food and insurance. You think they are living above their means??? I'd honestly consider what's been said instead of choosing to ignore this and wanting to go on strike cuz it suits you fine. Solidarity, or so we say right at the union????

There is no solidarity. Iv said that from the beginning. I’m in it for myself and won’t be pressured into losing money for terms and conditions when most of the workforce do not give a Damn about anyone or anything other than themselves and their duty.
Some people can’t afford to go on strike yet the pressure to not go into work was immense. It’s solidarity but only if you follow their lead. They are against bullying as long as you don’t cross the picket. They care about mental health as long as you don’t cross the picket as well.

Like other people have said some posties are locked into these contracts or have just had their energy bills and mortgage increase massively. They may have young families or be a carer. These are the priorities. Not letting your family suffer because you don’t want to be ignored and bullied at work.

My outlook has always been do what’s best for your family and mental health first. Your colleagues should come second. If people want to stand behind empty slogans and the mob mentality instead then that’s their choice.

I know guys in my office that have been in the business since they left high school and are not bad at all. Most of us are a pretty tight unit. They are people in the office now basically saying they are not sure if they can strike and the whole vibe was of understanding, not contempt. With me I didn't do any overtime whatsoever during the strike period as a way to help cuz at the time I believed the union had a fighting chance. However, they've pretty much displayed since then they are nowhere further than they were since October. The constant being both sides blaming each, trying to find faults against one another instead of working together for a deal.

Since then, I have had two major car repairs done since then and also rent has shot up dramatically but can't exactly move anywhere else cheap cuz no deposit and where else is there when landlords are increasing prices up their asses? So even myself I might have no choice, that or finding a new job. It's that simple. If it was at the very beginning, then sure maybe a month's strike would have worked, especially during Christmas. But, union completely missed that boat and we are in this situation of no light at the tunnel. As much as the union can say they have avoided compulsory redundancies, I guarantee you the amount of people that have left since this dispute would dwarf that number if strikes continue if not already.

[Shadedpostie]

My outlook has always been do what’s best for your family and mental health first.

But did you need to quote the 7 (fairly long) preceding posts in order to make your point?

Clearly.

On a side issue are there even any plans to talk arranged this week?

As far as I'm aware, according to the broadcast on Thursday (??), they have extended an olive branch to RM to resume talks over weekend and this week like they normally do when talks have broke down. However, no one on either side have come out and said that talks have resumed. So as far as I know (could be wrong), they are not talking at all.

[FilthyBloke]

My outlook has always been do what’s best for your family and mental health first.

But did you need to quote the 7 (fairly long) preceding posts in order to make your point?

Clearly.

On a side issue are there even any plans to talk arranged this week?

As far as I'm aware, according to the broadcast on Thursday (??), they have extended an olive branch to RM to resume talks over weekend and this week like they normally do when talks have broke down. However, no one on either side have come out and said that talks have resumed. So as far as I know (could be wrong), they are not talking at all.

Oh. I wonder how long this limbo stage can continue though…

[FilthyBloke]

[/quote]

I know guys in my office that have been in the business since they left high school and are not bad at all. Most of us are a pretty tight unit. They are people in the office now basically saying they are not sure if they can strike and the whole vibe was of understanding, not contempt. With me I didn't do any overtime whatsoever during the strike period as a way to help cuz at the time I believed the union had a fighting chance. However, they've pretty much displayed since then they are nowhere further than they were since October. The constant being both sides blaming each, trying to find faults against one another instead of working together for a deal.

Since then, I have had two major car repairs done since then and also rent has shot up dramatically but can't exactly move anywhere else cheap cuz no deposit and where else is there when landlords are increasing prices up their asses? So even myself I might have no choice, that or finding a new job. It's that simple. If it was at the very beginning, then sure maybe a month's strike would have worked, especially during Christmas. But, union completely missed that boat and we are in this situation of no light at the tunnel. As much as the union can say they have avoided compulsory redundancies, I guarantee you the amount of people that have left since this dispute would dwarf that number if strikes continue if not already.
[/quote]

I think in years gone by even if the union threatened with strike days then the company would buckle.
It felt different this time. RM didn’t want to budge.

Now they are stuck and members are stuck in the middle.

[LouBarlow]

Suggesting a week or even more laughably a month of strikes is beyond parody at this point. How much money do you need to lose? Already we have lost enough to make any potential pay-rise swallowed up by the time already spent on the picket line. Maybe if you don’t have a family to feed or a house to pay for you could do it, but the majority of posties don’t live with their parents so can’t afford this. This is all the while ignoring the fact that both the union and RM agree that future strikes will likely hasten the demise of the company. So, yeah losing money and ultimately your job sounds like not really the wisest of moves.

I sympathise that it will be genuinley difficult for some but the reality is, people just use that reason as an excuse not to strike, when they can afford so many take out meals, pub nights, holidays...of course they won't want to sacrifice that and that is entirely their choice and I respect that because that's just what we should be entitled to do, but dont make an excuse that you have a family to feed, only to blow a couple of grand on an all inclusive5 star "Luxury" holiday in Benidorm. And I don't understand how people could live so close to the edge anyway, living from pay cheque to pay cheque. Again, I sympathise for those with different circumstances but not so much those who just cream their money down the boozer. In the end, most people are responsible for their own financial hardships via poor choices they have made during their life or because they are terrible with money and not very smart

At this point in the dispute, no response is better than a weak response. A few days of strikes or one week solid would be seen as weak and it would signal the end of our resistance. A month solid however

There's only two options, wave the white flag, or its one month all out. I wish there was a silver lining, but there is no alternative and everyone knows it

You seem to be making wild generalisations here. Living paycheck to paycheck doesn’t mean you are necessarily bad with money. So many factors come into play that it is impossible to say, but I would stick my neck out and say that 99% of the people here could in no way lose a month’s pay right now. There would be next to no support for any such action called. There wouldn’t even be support for a week, because:

A) we have lost enough money already
B) There is no progress to show for this.

It would be a wild swing to think that dropping tools for a week would make the situation any better. We have union negotiators telling us it would ruin the company. It is not just RM complaining about the precarious state of the company’s finances at this stage.

I would say that 100% of people really don't want to lose a month's pay right now. But, how many of that percentage is actually struggling to the point where they are actually struggling? I mean really struggling I.e. no holidays, basic food supplies, no drinking...you know, living on the edge?

I remember on the news a few months ago, there was a report saying how people are "struggling", but they are not prepared to give up their 3 night a week deliveroo takeaways because that is their treat. Have you wondered why Deliveroo and JustEat, Umber Eat are surviving in these times when people should be cutting them out of their lives? It's because they do not want to and are prepared to live close to the edge so they can enjoy a deliveroo, or a nandos.

You would of expected companies like deliveroo to go bust as that is the first type of company that should really feel the effects of people cutting back because deliveroo is unnecessary. But it's human nature not to save, but to spend and enjoy the economy, to get overpriced Mercedes or Audi. Humans are spenders by nature

Why are you supporting strike action designed around an increased pay deal if just giving up a couple of takeaways would make everything ok? You really do sound completely removed from reality.

What is your solution? Please tell me what the options are?

This thread is massively off topic now so I’ll have to ask - solution to what? If you mean our dispute, I want the latest deal put to members for a vote.