more from paul routledge

postie28 · Post by **postie28** » 03 Aug 2007, 11:10

another fine piece from paul in today's mirror. journo of the year in my book.

bristolchris · Post by **bristolchris** » 03 Aug 2007, 11:20

Posties are poles apart
Paul Routledge 03/08/2007

Not content with trying to crush their workers in a row over pay, Royal Mail bosses are now imperilling racial harmony.

Post chiefs have hired hundreds of Polish casuals to break an official dispute called by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) after a properly-conducted secret ballot.

Let us not mince words. These are blacklegs.

And I'm not surprised postal workers in Bristol and Glasgow are up in arms at the use of scab labour to beat them into submission.

Importing Poles to break the strike threatens to trigger strife in an industry that has enjoyed good race relations for years. It is a crazy act of a desperate management - and the politicians in charge of Royal Mail should end it now.

And the Poles themselves would do well to remember that their freedom from communism was won by the heroic fight of the Solidarity trade union. They should be utterly ashamed of conniving with the boss class here.

British trade unionists - including the posties - gave international support to Polish workers in their hour of struggle under Lech Walesa in the 80s. They are owed a debt of gratitude.

The TUC should also wake up to the dangers. They, like me, have championed the cause of migrant workers over the years. But that cannot be at the expense of British jobs and British trade union freedom.

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » 03 Aug 2007, 11:22

He obviously never heard about the Poles walking out in solidarity with the scousers

st postie · Post by **st postie** » 03 Aug 2007, 11:23

just read it at least we have 1 decent journalist on our side long may he continue to air our views in the mirror some good articals in the mirror about our fight with dumb and dumber :lfo :cfo

mylegshurt · Post by **mylegshurt** » 03 Aug 2007, 12:12

doesnt that tell you something about migrant workers,you as you put it champion there cause.what happens? you get a knife shoved firmly in your back.you should concentrate your efforts on championing native british workers not a bunch of poles who probably send half there money out the country.javascript:emoticon(':no no')
Shame on you

bristolchris · Post by **bristolchris** » 03 Aug 2007, 12:16

mylegshurt wrote:doesnt that tell you something about migrant workers,you as you put it champion there cause.what happens? you get a knife shoved firmly in your back.you should concentrate your efforts on championing native british workers not a bunch of poles who probably send half there money out the country.javascript:emoticon(':no no')
Shame on you

No I am not championing there cause just included the Article as it is.

dogfood · Post by **dogfood** » 03 Aug 2007, 13:41

Isn't bring in other workers during official IA illegal?

If so why aren't the CWU pursuing legal action.

Rob Ray · Post by **Rob Ray** » 03 Aug 2007, 13:55

mylegshurt a few dozen arseholes does not a people make. Poles are just as capable or solidarity as anyone else - f**k it, November last year their own postalworkers were on strike (link), before they got sold out by their union bosses. It's more to the point to explain the situation if they don't know it, and deal with them as straightforward strike breakers if they go ahead anyway. Dividing it into Us vrs Them does no-one any favours except the bosses.

Edit: Yes bringing in agency workers is illegal. The GMB did a really successful job of deterring it by getting cameras down to film agency strike breakers going in and out as evidence in the JJB dispute recently.

mylegshurt · Post by **mylegshurt** » 03 Aug 2007, 14:16

my appologies read the article as if it was from your own perspective[ie] i myself have championed there cause.[migrant workers].so guess that was my bad dont mind admitting when i am wrong,which is allways if you knew my misses.no offence meant.

The Sarge · Post by **The Sarge** » 03 Aug 2007, 14:18

Don't anyone be too hasty in dissing 'The Poles' or any other group of workers for that matter. Soilidarity was invented in Poland, and I think RM may get a nasty shock when they will not cross a picket as Spartacus as already mentioned RE the Scousers.

The CWU should talk to anyone RM try and bring in and tell them what's going on; remember the old adage: AGITATE, EDUCATE, ORGANISE.

Rob Ray · Post by **Rob Ray** » 03 Aug 2007, 14:22

Lol no probs :).

jafferpants · Post by **jafferpants** » 03 Aug 2007, 16:21

ROB RAY I WISH YOU HADN'T MENTIONED THAT BIT ABOUT BEING SOLD OUT BY UNION BOSSES IT MAKES ONE FEEL QUITE NERVOUS

IWW Fellow Worker · Post by **IWW Fellow Worker** » 03 Aug 2007, 17:10

Spartacus wrote:He obviously never heard about the Poles walking out in solidarity with the scousers

And Watford.

Let's get them organised into the union.

Solidarnosc!

strangler · Post by **strangler** » 03 Aug 2007, 17:26

dogfood wrote:Isn't bring in other workers during official IA illegal?

If so why aren't the CWU pursuing legal action.

The union is looking to prosecute the agencies for supplying the workers.
Apparently they can be banned from doing business for 10 years though surely the agencies would have thought this one through? I`ll believe it when I see it.
They are still crossing picket lines in places but remember it`s not all Polish.
Whilst I`d like to think they won`t cross them it`s a harsh reality that many will.
Truth is RM would rather have agency staff than postmen.
The union should print leaflets in their native language explaining the situation to them. They should also be reminded that the CWU is fighting for rights for agency workers.

turkeyboy · Post by **turkeyboy** » 03 Aug 2007, 17:28

i dont care where they come from, any body that crosses a picket line is a piece of shite

ROYALMAILCHAT

more from paul routledge

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