CWU and EP LTB 393/24 – ROYAL MAIL GROUP TAKEOVER BID

[Martin Walsh]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-393-24-roya ... eover-bid/

ROYAL MAIL GROUP TAKEOVER BID - NEGOTIATORS AGREEMENT REACHED BETWEEN CWU AND EP GROUP

Dear Colleagues 

Further to last week's national briefing, CWU branches, reps and members would have seen this morning's announcements setting out that EP Group and the government have reached agreement on a deed of undertaking, which contains legally binding guarantees from EP Group over the future of Royal Mail. 

In light of this development, CWU is pleased to announce that we have reached a groundbreaking negotiators agreement with EP Group, subject to ratification by our Postal Executive. 

The key parts of the agreement covers:

* Job security commitments and new legally binding commitments to employees 
* Agreed principles on resolving a range of outstanding issues 
* The introduction of a radical new governance and business model
* A meaningful stake in the business for employees
* Restoring quality of service
* improving the terms and conditions of our members.
* A commitment to a new plan to grow the business
* A complete re-set in employee and industrial relations. 

Ultimately the CWU will always campaign for Royal Mail to be returned to public ownership - but the reality is once it became clear the government would support this takeover - our role as a trade union was to do everything possible to protect our members.

Whilst many will fear Royal Mail falling into the hands of a foreign equity investor, the truth is every postal worker knows the status quo is what will kill off postal services in the UK. 

The Royal Mail Group Board have been running the company into the ground over a sustained period and in the process have completely alienated their own workforce. It is time for a fresh start and a complete re-set of employee and industrial relations.

At this stage, the transaction is not completed and still has some formal stages to go through which include:

* Clearance under the national security act
* Clearance under European regulations
* Shareholders vote

It is likely that all of these processes will be cleared in the first quarter of 2025. 

NEXT STEPS FOR CWU

Subject to the document being cleared by our Postal Executive, we will be putting together a comprehensive engagement package this week including briefings for our branches, reps and members. 

We will issue further updates in due course. 

Yours sincerely,

Dave Ward 
General Secretary 

Martin Walsh 
Deputy General Secretary

[fredtheegg]

The BBC and Sky News reporting “A workers group will be formed and meet monthly with company directors”

Curious to know if this group is CWU related or independent of the CWU?

If it’s independent does this mean we will have two separate groups negotiating with board ?

[Martin Walsh]

It is the CWU and EP. It is called a strategy board.

[SpacePhoenix]

The BBC and Sky News reporting “A workers group will be formed and meet monthly with company directors”

Curious to know if this group is CWU related or independent of the CWU?

If it’s independent does this mean we will have two separate groups negotiating with board ?

Will the board actually take notice of/care what the workers group or the union have to say?

[pmn123]

Strategy board sounds like a lite version of corporate codetermination....probably with selected rather than elected Union representatives on the board and a "Nothing to with us" caveats should the proverbial hit the fan.....

[Idk]

How many posties will be sacked is what I want to know

[scoobydo79]

How many posties will be sacked is what I want to know

None. People will be leaving of their own accord I suspect

[Dorset Plodder]

Do you know it's got to the stage that I REALLY don't give a Shite about ANYTHING to do with Royal Mail nowadays!

I just come in get out the door as quick as possible, have a walk around in the fresh air, talk to a few customers and bugger off home. I really can't work up any more energy, or enthusiasm, to engage with these pathetic management types and their childish attempts at ''TEAM'' building and Rewarding Hard Work .... Such as the latest Advent Calendar of Tat! FFS

[Acca Dacca]

When does the 'no compulsory redundancies' commitment run to?

[Perseus]

When does the 'no compulsory redundancies' commitment run to?

Was it not 2025?

[richietns]

When does the 'no compulsory redundancies' commitment run to?

It covers this year but not 2025.

[Acca Dacca]

When does the 'no compulsory redundancies' commitment run to?

Was it not 2025?

I assume Ward and Walsh have agreed an extention to this commitment from EP group given job security should be the number one agenda for a trade union

[Barnacle]

When does the 'no compulsory redundancies' commitment run to?

Midnight New Year’s Eve. Happy New Year

[claretandblue]

When does the 'no compulsory redundancies' commitment run to?

The new one is to at least the end of implementation of USO reform, so late 2026.

[Acca Dacca]

When does the 'no compulsory redundancies' commitment run to?

Midnight New Year’s Eve. Happy New Year

I dont mean the last agreement, i mean the new one

Martin Walsh's post mentions 'job security commitments' have been agreed with EP group so Im asking what they are