Ballot Result

[Glenno]

Hi all, can anyone confirm / deny that the Ballot result was 9-1 in favour of Strike Action

[beeswax]

9-1 is what the BBC are reporting.

[Glenno]

This is what I heard... but can't confirm it yet

[fishtank]

Massive ‘Yes’ vote for Post Office strike
4th March 2011
http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/massive ... trike.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post Office workers have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay, job security and the future of the Crown post office network.

The ballot closed today (Friday) with 93% voting yes making the result in favour of strike action by more than 9 to 1. The turnout was 66%. CWU is now encouraging Post Office Ltd to return to talks and table a realistic pay offer for counter staff and discuss the future of the Crown network.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Post Office workers have sent a clear message to management in this ballot that they are not prepared to take double standards when it comes to pay. However, this ballot is about more than pay; it is the job security of our members and the future of the Crown office network which is also at stake.

"We want to see a strong network of Crown offices, but the government and the company appear to be hiding the fact that they are planning a programme of further Post Office closures. Given the lack of support from the government - only yesterday taking a key benefits contract away from the Post Office - we fear for the future of the network."

Andy Furey, CWU assistant secretary, said: "Our members have effectively registered a vote of no confidence in Paula Vennells, the Post Office Managing Director. This massive YES vote demonstrates the strength of anger towards POL for attacking their pay, terms, conditions and job security.


"Although we have a mandate to take strike action, we continue to be responsible and our doors are open for POL to talk to us about a fair offer for our members."

Fresh talks are due to commence and CWU will continue to press POL to negotiate a fair and decent pay and job security agreement over the coming days.

Failure to reach an agreement could result in CWU members taking strike action by the end of March.

Ballot result:

YES votes: 2,365 - 93%
NO votes: 172 - 7%
Turnout: 66%

Background:

Post Office Ltd (POL) made increased profits of £72 million last year, awarded a 2.25 per cent pay rise to managers and increased directors' remuneration by 21 per cent (worth £3.9 million in 2009-10). However, POL has pleaded poverty and refused to consider a pay rise for counter staff.

The company is also refusing to extend a guarantee on the number of crown offices - currently at 373 - which implies that further closures are being planned.

Almost 4,000 staff across 373 offices UK-wide were balloted for strike action.

This is the first ballot of Post Office staff since summer 2007.

[obiwanknobe]

Although we have a mandate to take strike action, we continue to be responsible and our doors are open for POL to talk to us about a fair offer for our members."

Why would you want to talk to POL? Shouldn't you be talking to your new owners?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Although we have a mandate to take strike action, we continue to be responsible and our doors are open for POL to talk to us about a fair offer for our members."

Why would you want to talk to POL? Shouldn't you be talking to your new owners?

[Geezer]

1.GIF

[obiwanknobe]

I can understand strike action when the operator is making a profit but logic defies me having a strike when they are making a loss. How long would you like to strike for? Think the response is likely to be take as long as you like. I am sure your new owners are going to be delighted to have you on board. Not.

[Super]

Now that the ballot result has been announced its time to think of what next. So what is general feeling? How many periods of IA are members willing to go to before the financial loss is too much to bear? What is more important the pay rise or the extension to the no more franchising of branches?

[subbie]

Dear Obi

A) POL has posted profits for the last couple of years.
B) POL is not going to be sold off, so no new owners.

Your next observation is...........?

subbie

[obiwanknobe]

Crown offices have been/will be sold. I wasn't referring to POL.

[kathleen1]

Crown offices have been/will be sold. I wasn't referring to POL.

They will be sold, franchised or even mutualised but i reckon march 2012 when POL receives alot of funding by the government. Members will go out on strike especially over easter with the bank holiday, i will go out everytime because i am sick of the place the way it is run and who by two managers who are absolutely useless at everything they do, its like laurel & hardy.Oh by the way where is RWBarker? i am missing your posts (NOT).See you guys on the picket line let the battle commence dicky.

[baldrick]

Massive ‘Yes’ vote for Post Office strike
Ballot result:

YES votes: 2,365 - 93%
NO votes: 172 - 7%

Well done to our POL colleagues!

[The BFO]

I can understand strike action when the operator is making a profit but logic defies me having a strike when they are making a loss. How long would you like to strike for? Think the response is likely to be take as long as you like. I am sure your new owners are going to be delighted to have you on board. Not.

This is about more than Pay and Job Security. The fact that only 172 voted ‘NO’ to strike action out of nearly 4000 staff reveals a lot to me. It is a sign of a deep malaise at the way people are treated in the Crown Office Network. I think most could, in the current environment, accept a pay freeze, but not when their office could be converted, when they are continually exhorted (sometimes in bullying ways) to attempt to sell things to customers they do not want, and when so much waste is tolerated.

[obiwanknobe]

I couldn't agree more about trying to sell stuff customers a) do not want and b) if they do want it they know fine they can get it cheaper elsewhere. POL is the largest RETAIL network in the country. Isn't it about time they realised that and started selling RETAIL products. The purchasing power they have is totally unrealised. Why not use the strike to get changes made in that department. Ditch BOI and bring in partners that can earn the Counter Staff commission on saleable products. Just one or two different products each week. A digital camera one week, a mobile phone the next, handbags and scarves, perfume and lipstick, discount tokens, loyalty cards the list is endless.

Its easy to sell stuff when you know your customer is getting a bargain and your customer knows it too.