Ad_bee wrote: ↑12 Jul 2023, 08:16
I'd like to repost my thoughts on the matter from another thread because whilst dismayed by the whole thing (massive understatment) I question the wisdom of leaving the union just yet.
"Why I'm not quitting the union yet.
Just a note from personal experience and p.o.v. (IMHO....which might be wrong). RM appear to have used my work unit as one of their 'testing-grounds' for their 'New way of working' since at least 2018 and its been as massive technologoly driven failure. This is mostly due to falsified/polluted raw data and the hubris driven misuse of that in performance management and workload resourcing. I'm not suggesting that the data is wrong but that its been tweaked to absurd levels to achieve management performance bonuses or an undisclosed background-plan to cover the contractual USO with a massive staff reduction (all mail is equal, but the delivery timespan contracts are not). That, or else some other suchlike malarky, shenanigans and crapulence.
Whatever. In my office that translated as the already oversized duties being performance-managed, not by use of actual raw data, reality and certainly not common-sense or RM's quoted operational standards and proceduresbut by emotive, capricious and negative feedback loops or just a point-blank failure to even engage ("you know where the door is") which isn't particularly surprising since Mick Jeavons has issued the plan and the results he wants to see on his spreadsheet, the bonuses paid to achieve that and which managers and offices are failing to achieve their bonuses and targets respectively. Micks spreadsheet was essentially no more informative than pub-bog graffiti, hence Simon T's doomed 'true picture' putsch. Both Williams and Jeavons are very capable persons, as we have witnessed. We may not agree with their tactics or crapulence but they are very good it and we are not (thats a good enough reason to stay with the union in itself?). They have harrowed Royal Mail, the USO, the union and the workforce all with cast-iron plausible deniability (modernisation, profit, 'rogue managers', 'sickly/unionised/lazy/incompetent/theiving workforce, Covid, industrial action, labour market supply etc) all of which has masked their own shortcomings or strategy (whichever applies). They even have union plus the majority of the workforce onside and have been given the 'green light' to deploy whatever they want, whenever they want and how they want it.
s**t rolls downhill.
All of the grief is about to be unleashed upon those lucky enough to have avoided the past 5 years (at least) worth of 'improvement' (some was needed, some has worked but due to misapplication has failed). I don't think anyone can truly appreciate the tidal-wave of disruption and malice thats going to be deployed from as early as next week unless they've experienced a fully compliant test-office that never-the-less fails all of Mssrs Williams and Jeavons' expectations. It never going be 'their fault' niether Williams/Jeavons, the Board, Ofcom. the tech or any managemnet level.
Its going to be 'your fault'...every day and you will be challenged and managed accordingly if my trial-office is anything to go by, and its going to wear you down. Obviously there's a very optimistic workforce majority that either has not experienced that or have experienced it differently and has a different opinion of it but I believe its coming, 'turned-up to 11' and possibly a lot quicker than people realise.
If it does, if my experience or cognitive evaluation thereof is correct, everyone is going to need even the paltry, pwned and lukewarm representation of the union.
I'm for leaving the union too, but am defering for at least 6 months to see 'hoe the cookie crumbles'. I don't think an instant kneejerk reaction is wise considering the power that has been handed to Williams and Jeavons who are both sensible enough to make the most of the momentum they have engineered (also whilst being 'high' on the hubris of victory).
I'm for 'holding my fire' and laying-low."
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