LTB 594 - POST OFFICE: ADMIN/SUPPLY CHAIN ? PAY FREEZE ?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

CWU.org
06 September 2013
LTB 594 - POST OFFICE: ADMIN/SUPPLY CHAIN ? PAY FREEZE ? YOUR PAY YOUR FUTURE

Dear Colleague
POST OFFICE: ADMIN/SUPPLY CHAIN – PAY FREEZE – YOUR PAY YOUR FUTURE



Policy of the Post Office


Following an exchange of correspondence between Paula Vennells, Chief Executive, and myself, we have learnt that the Post Office has established a policy of extending the Crown Office pay freeze to our Administration and Supply Chain members. Clearly, we need to reverse this unjustifiable decision and ensure that our members receive an above-inflation pay increase at the appropriate time. The Post Office is being opportunistic in attempting to deny our members a consolidated pensionable pay increase at a time when they are also seeking to impose changes to the pension scheme. The Post Office can afford to meet our members’ aspirations, as they recently declared a £94m operating profit and their target for this financial year is to increase the profit to £102m.


Industrial Action (Strike Action) Ballot


As a consequence of the Post Office’s position above, our conference unanimously endorsed an emergency motion that included the policy to ballot our members impacted for industrial action. A provisional ballot timetable has now been drawn up, which is broadly similar to the timetable for the Royal Mail ballot announced earlier this week. Further details in this regard will be reported at the earliest opportunity following appropriate documentation being placed before the Postal Executive for their consideration and authorisation.


Unite Ballot Admin and Supply Chain Managers for Industrial Action


Branches will be interested to learn that Unite are currently undertaking an industrial action ballot for their members who also work in Admin and Supply Chain functions as well as Crown Office managers. There are similarities with the Unite dispute which is also in relation to a pay freeze. The Unite ballot closes on Friday, 13th September.


Membership Meetings


In order to secure a reversal of the Post Office’s policy, we obviously need to engage with our members so that they fully understand the reasons why we are in dispute and why it is important to achieve a YES vote in the forthcoming industrial action ballot. Branches are urged to make preliminary arrangements for membership meetings which will provide our members with an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarity. Postal Executive members, Mahmood Ali, Carl Maden, Ian Ward, and Assistant Secretary, Andy Furey, are willing to support Branches in this crucial activity where diary commitments permit. Accordingly, if you would like any support, please contact the department before finalising dates.


Communications


A communication has been sent to the home addresses of our Admin and Supply Chain members impacted by the Post Office’s pay freeze policy. A copy of this communication is attached for your information. Additionally, we are planning on establishing direct communications with members via email and text messages. This is a similar approach to that currently being deployed so effectively in the Crown dispute. We are also establishing a closed Facebook page so our Admin and Supply Chain members can debate the issues linked to this dispute in a private forum. Details of this initiative will be provided in due course.


Next Steps


We are currently in the process of drafting a speaker’s brief, together with a fact sheet. Once this work is complete, these will be provided to all representatives.


If you have any enquiries in relation to this LTB, please contact cbowers@cwu.org


Yours sincerely




Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

[aliofashy]

No massive shock. There was never going to be an offer. I had thought nothing would happen until April but for once the CWU have been proactive and stepped up to the plate. I have complained in the past that we have had to wait until July or August before hearing about pay offers so I applaud the union for taking this step.
This woman and her ideas need to be stopped, our standard of life is seriously under threat here whilst her and the top brass rake in the profits and transfer them into their bonus.
Nobody wants to strike and all other methods of dispute should be considered, unfortunately I don't think auntie Paula has the company or staff best interests on her priority list and think it's going to be a long drawn out process. We could really do with some outside help with discussions in my opinion but don't see it happening anytime soon.
How long will it be before we get sat down and told "WE" will be hurting the business and "OUR ACTIONS" may result in customers going elsewhere, Guess there will be a special wtl session soon.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

I think it should be illegal for high uppitty ups to give themselves a raise but not do the same for their front line staff.

I think we need a "workers Spring" in this country

[The BFO]

I have today received my letter telling me that should I partake in the CWU led ban on 'cross selling' (cross as in diagonally opposed rather than irate) this coming Monday afternoon I threaten the future of the Crown Office Network.
No mention of Management incompetence.

[123456]

hello folks,is there any further updates or developments regarding the supply chain pay deal for 2014,is it still a pay freeze , any info would be greatfully received