Fight to stop Tories privatising Royal Mail

[topgeezer]

by Yuri Prasad

Union leaders are talking up the possibility of strikes to defend postal workers’ jobs, pensions and conditions as Tory plans to privatise Royal Mail gather pace.

Parliament is set to vote on the sell-off on Wednesday of next week.

Private firms hope that they can grab huge profits by slashing jobs and pay.

Leaders of the CWU union say this will put a three‑year deal, signed with Royal Mail bosses last year, in jeopardy.

In return for guarantees on pay, hours, and union rights the CWU has allowed thousands of jobs to go “voluntarily” as scores of mail centres are earmarked for closure.

CWU leader Billy Hayes said, “Our members haven’t gone through all this pain just to see some gambler or spiv recoup the rewards.”

Hayes refused to rule out industrial action.

His deputy, Dave Ward, has gone further. Last month Ward told a 500-strong rally of CWU activists to prepare for a national strike to defend jobs and conditions—and to stop the Tories from “raiding” workers’ pensions.

“We will go to reps and tell them to prepare for industrial action,” he said.

It is illegal to strike against privatisation. But the union believes a dispute to defend jobs, terms and conditions would be legal—though this may not take place until after the sell-off law has completed all its parliamentary stages.

Post workers should build the fight against privatisation now.

And they should demand their union leaders back up their words with action.
Campaign against Royal Mail privatisation

Join the campaign to keep the post public

* Sunday 9 January, 11.30am Witney. Demonstrate in David Cameron’s constituency. Church Green, OX28 4AZ.
* Saturday 22 January, 12noon, Kingston upon Thames. Take the battle to Vince Cable. Fairfield Recreation Ground, KT1 2PY.
* Saturday 29 January, 11.30am, Birmingham. March starting from Victoria Square.

© Socialist Worker (unless otherwise stated). You may republish if you include an active link to the original.

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=23501

[arnold cheshire]

stuff the union

[TrueBlueTerrier]

stuff the union

Not a form of suicide I would support.

[arnold cheshire]

whats the point of strike were doomed anyway :dcfo :ncfo :vcfo

[TrueBlueTerrier]

whats the point of strike were doomed anyway :dcfo :ncfo :vcfo

Yes but your first post didn't say that it just said what it did and whilst I disagree a lot with Dingo on the direction and policies of the CWU, I still think it would self defeating if we all "stuffed" the union.

As to whether I would strike on privatisation - well as it is illegal to do so, I would have to wait and see what the top bods come up with a legal reason to ballot, but I think it would have to be a strong reason to get the disenfranchised and demoralised delivery members to back it.

[AnotherLimey]

whats the point of strike were doomed anyway :dcfo :ncfo :vcfo

Yeah lets just give in and do nothing, you are fast becoming the RMC forum fool Mr 4 day week!

[arnold cheshire]

whats the point of strike were doomed anyway :dcfo :ncfo :vcfo

Yeah lets just give in and do nothing, you are fast becoming the RMC forum fool Mr 4 day week!

ok you went on strike for the door to door agreement why rm would have give you that deal without losing money you fool

[jockstrapp]

here's one SCABBIE B@STARD who will not be striking for Ward/Hayes, and before anyone says anything I have always supported strike action in the past but now I'll just assume the position AND GET SHAFTED.

[arnold cheshire]

here's one SCABBIE B@STARD who will not be striking for Ward/Hayes, and before anyone says anything I have always supported strike action in the past but now I'll just assume the position AND GET SHAFTED.

im with you

[carpathia_kuja]

me too, i have went on strike on all occasions so far but after last time was just a waste of wages they can f**k off and i don't give two sh***s what anyone says

[arnold cheshire]

whats the point of strike were doomed anyway :dcfo :ncfo :vcfo

Yeah lets just give in and do nothing, you are fast becoming the RMC forum fool Mr 4 day week!

ok you went on strike for the door to door agreement why rm would have give you that deal without losing money you fool

me too, i have went on strike on all occasions so far but after last time was just a waste of wages they can f**k off and i don't give two sh***s what anyone says

here's one SCABBIE B@STARD who will not be striking for Ward/Hayes, and before anyone says anything I have always supported strike action in the past but now I'll just assume the position AND GET SHAFTED.

im with you

see mr another limey looks like your the fool

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Well perhaps I am a fool -(the name calling is a little disappointing lads we are not at school we should be able to debate without name calling).

The reason I may be a fool on this debate is complex but here goes.

I have no idea what we will be asked to vote on.
The reason for the ballot may be so massive that all other considerations are put to one side and I vote yes.
I may not agree with the reasons and actually vote against any strike call.

However the one thing I am certain about is if there is a ballot and the democratic vote backs a strike then I will support it come what may. If you are not going to support a strike call and you dont like the CWU as it is now, and you are not willing to help change it you have to ask yourself a simple question - Do I really need to stay in the Union. To my mind you have to take the rough with the smooth, right now its rough. Hopefully we will sea a sea change soon and perhaps the focus will change from an organisational viewpoint to a membership biased one.

[fishtank]

stuff the onion

Ok.
Savoury Stuffed Onions Recipe

Ingredients:
I6 medium sized onions, each of comparable size
1 tablespoonful chopped parsley
1 teaspoonful mustard
1/2 cup of minced, cooked ham or minced beef
1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
1 teaspoonful mixed herbs
1 oz butter
Method:

Remove the outside skins of the onions and boil them gently for 25 – 30 minutes, that is until they are cooked but not soft. Scoop out the centre portions from each onion and fill the cavities with the savoury ingredients. Place them in a greased dish and dot them with butter. Bake at 425° F for 25 – 30 minutes.

Serve with tomato sauce or brown gravy.

[post_bitch]

the union can pay me 3 £ per week

[andy2007]

Well perhaps I am a fool -(the name calling is a little disappointing lads we are not at school we should be able to debate without name calling).

The reason I may be a fool on this debate is complex but here goes.

I have no idea what we will be asked to vote on.
The reason for the ballot may be so massive that all other considerations are put to one side and I vote yes.
I may not agree with the reasons and actually vote against any strike call.

However the one thing I am certain about is if there is a ballot and the democratic vote backs a strike then I will support it come what may. If you are not going to support a strike call and you dont like the CWU as it is now, and you are not willing to help change it you have to ask yourself a simple question - Do I really need to stay in the Union. To my mind you have to take the rough with the smooth, right now its rough. Hopefully we will sea a sea change soon and perhaps the focus will change from an organisational viewpoint to a membership biased one.

And I'd just like to add: Do you really think, that people will be keen to invest in RM, if due to a Strike, it looses a large proportion of it's customers to the leeches (er, I mean competition, I think.)?
That should be a good reason for a Strike to be effective. Trying to protect the profits from selling RM to the highest bidder.

Having said that: Unless there were other issues involved. I wouldn't vote for a Strike against Privatisation. Because I think we'd be in for a VERY long Strike, with only a slim chance of success. But like Teebs. If there's a Strike, I won't be crossing any Picket Lines. More improtantly, I'll be stood on one, trying to convince others not to cross.