'This is the most brutal attack on workers in this country in decades'

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article ... in-decades


CWU general secretary Dave Ward speaks to the Star about the future of the Royal Mail, workers' rights and the Labour Party

COMMUNICATIONS Workers Union general secretary Dave Ward was in Glasgow today — the latest stop in a gruelling tour of the country to brief reps on the deal negotiated with the Royal Mail ahead of a ballot.

He took time out to speak to the Star about the deal, the future of the Royal Mail, a new deal for workers and the union’s relationship with the Labour Party.

“We’ve been around the whole of the UK — one more briefing left in Belfast tomorrow,” he said.

“The briefings have been robust, but I think they’ve been really helpful.

“The truth is this is the first agreement where we have reached a deal on management’s behaviour … but peace hasn’t broken out.

“[Chief executive Simon] Thompson has gone, but a few more them need to go. There’s a culture that there that needs to change.

“Breaking that culture will be tough, but it needs to change.

“Without any shadow of a doubt — and I joined Royal Mail in 1976 — this is the most brutal attack on workers that we’ve seen in this country in decades.

“Where this has been different has been the relentless attack on people during the strike: intimidation and bulling, the likes of which have never been seen before. About 300 have been suspended or sacked and we are clear that the vast majority will get back and see justice when dealt with independently.”

Mr Ward insisted that Royal Mail needed to develop a vision for growth.

“Amazon would kill to have the infrastructure Royal Mail has, but the leadership of the company wanted to turn it into a gig employer — they have failed in that objective.

“We want to see how the role of the postal worker can be enhanced to support our communities, building on what they do already.”

Mr Ward issued a clear challenge to Labour on their New Deal for Workers agenda.

“I think this will be the key battleground in the election and I want Labour to win, but the jury is out.

“Our job has to be to ensure Labour not only stick to their commitments but expand on them.

“They have got to change the balance of forces, but whatever Labour do, unions need to come together.

“It’s not about one dispute, it’s about how you build from that dispute — alongside other unions — to change the balance of power in our country.

“The capitalist way has fallen apart. There has to be a different way.”

[hans solo]

Unfortunately starmers a tory

[jtshocka]

dave ward mentions work in the community posties can not complete duties now . I will try to be polite but what the feck planet is this so called union leader on ? My advice is every postman or woman withdraws there union subscriptions cwu has passed its sell by date . It can't protect its union reps its sold out so many of us hard working posties it does not deserve to represent us vote
No to this sellout deal. we have been bullied by Mr Thomson ward is not going to do the same thing absolutely shameful

[stevejm]

“We want to see how the role of the postal worker can be enhanced to support our communities, building on what they do already.”

He's been saying this for several years now - starting to sound like a scratched record.

"We want to see..." come up with some financially viable ideas then. And figure out how the over worked postie will find the time necessary to do these mythological community duties!!