Hi all

[simonj12]

Hello, I've worked at PFWW in various capacities for about 10 years now including 2 years as a line manager and have subscribed to both CWU and CMA (at different times obviously). I have taken part in unofficial industrial action. I now work as a sub-contractor delivery driver. I joined this site a few days ago to find out more about this dispute. Whilst feeling the strike is regrettable I was already in favour of the CWU in this dispute but having researched a bit more I am now vehemently in favour. I think that by wrecklessly forcing through this change nationwide, RM management are attacking their customers, their workforce and ultimately themselves. IMO the obvious way forward is to listen to their workforce, but instead the senior management are playing a dangerous game with politics and PR which will inevitably come back and bite them on the backside along with their workforce's and customers'. IMO RM management are incompetent enough at running the company letalone trying to be politicians. I think it's disgusting that RM are not interested in independant arbritration from ACAS or any other respected and independant organisation. I think the government's position, particularly the rhetoric coming from Mandelson, is pathetic, particularly when you consider their involvement both as a shareholder and a receiver of donations from RM employees via the CWU.
Having spoken to my customers who are all also RM customers I think that the majority of their sympathy lies with RM management due to their understandable ignorance regarding details of the disagreement. Most of them just think Spanish working practices, finishing early, etc which applied 10-15 years ago but don't now. Therefore I believe that the CWU's main objective (other than reaching an agreement obviously) is to do everything they can to publicise their plight to the masses and get them onside.
My biggest concern from my personal situation is based around the longer term consequence for PFWW. Having made record profits in the previous financial year I can see us being sold off by the RM group (although I'm not entirely sure who owns us or to what extent we are owned. A different manager will tell you a different story).

So that's me and that's my position. Nice to meet you all.

[norfolk n chance]

hello

nice to have your support

[rhino49]

Thanks for your supportive comment Simonj12, you have hit the nail on the head with one bit - the CWU publicity machine is broken. A factual presentation to the public is still awaited and we cannot rely on the odd friendly journalist. Too many people will be (or imagine they will be) affected by the dispute and like Royal Mail are looking at the short term picture. A totally emasculated Royal Mail will mean a lifetime of difficult Christmas trading periods for businesses of all sizes and the main culprit will be our outgoing government. I think they no longer care because after next May, it will be someone else's baby. PFWW might be well out of it if they have the strength to survive alone. Good Luck.

[simonj12]

Thanks for the welcome!
Rhino49 you used the term baby. I sincerely hope it turns out to be a baby like it could and should be to any government rather than an aborted foetus passed on to the next bunch of clowns. I'm sure PFWW could easily stand on its own 2 feet but obviously if RM can pocket a few million quid from selling it then I'm sure they wouldn't think twice about it.