Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

OK. What are the duties you're doing, and what opportunities, if any, do you have to get them completed more quickly (in order to finish your working day bang on the 27.5 hours)?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

That's not all I do you know ;) I couldn't survive on that wage alone which Is what angered me when I was promised more permanent hours as I gave up my old job which I could have kept to supplement my wage.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Either way - it doesnt matter - Yes I would work for £7.50 an hour, if i ment i kept my job in this recession.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

As a 27.5 hour AG I am meant to come in at 8:30am to a ready prepared frame Then I am expected to sort my packets, redirections, tie up and leave for my round (Should take 30 - 45mins).
At the moment I come in at 8am because the frame is never prepped and spend until about 9:30am doing the work that I am not supposed to be doing in the first place, namely sorting. After that is complete I do what I should have been doing from 8:30am An obvious way to trim down that would be if RM hadn't made the guy who used to do it redundant. That has allready added 1hour 15mins - 1hour 30mins to my day.
I use my own car for convey to my delivery round even though RM withdrew my travel allowance about 2 years ago its still faster than waiting for a van for convey as this can take up to 2 hours for which RM will not pay us as we are not technically working. Though it is down to RM taking away 2 of the driving duties that has caused this.
My delivery should then have really started by 9:30 but its rare I get out before 10:30 which leaves me with about 3 hours to deliver my round and take my 30min break to finish on time. Unfortunately due to increased mail weights delivery lengths and new working practices such as reduced maximum bag weight I'll be lucky to do my round in 4hours with no break so 4hours 30mins delivery time. Which means in that example I have worked 7 hours and I should have worked 5.5hours. That's 7.5 hours unpaid work per week assuming this happens every day (Admittedly some days it doesn't though on others it can take longer).

The only ways to trim that down are mostly beyond my control, namely increased staff numbers or reduced route lengths (Which means more routes and in turn increased staff numbers).

The only thing I have at my disposal is to inform my manager before I leave that I will not be able to complete my round on time and that I will be returning mail. This mail I return will have to be delivered by me the following day aswell as that days mail and if you do this more than 3 days on the run it generally leads to a disciplinary or similar action. So its not really an option for me.

---------- Post added at 13:32 ---------- Previous post was at 13:31 ----------

What if you could keep it either way?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Yes I would work for £7.50 - it's not a bad wage to be fair.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

ZrB, you said
the other way to reduce that is to introduce more automation at the sorting side, which means you get out on the street faster.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I would agree here - it would avoid less mess ups and would also speed up the delivery process.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Which is supposed to be getting done, we have an ETA of about 3 years before this is introduced into our Mailcentre, the main problem is the machines that do this will never make it to my office so the mail will still need to be distributed and local sorted to some degree so they make it to the correct fitting number to be sorted for delivery.
The other problem is that my managers are already behaving asthough these machines are online and cutting hours and jobs which really shouldn't be getting cut (At least yet).
Though as I said previously this is still out of my control.

---------- Post added at 17:08 ---------- Previous post was at 17:07 ----------

Asside from when they go wrong, which going by the current Mailsort machines we have now is every day!!!

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I wonder if Postman Pat was on strike the last couple of days? :)

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

No mate, he's been delivering. He loves his job he does. Goes round every morning with his van.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Of course he was working, here is the video evidence of him driving through a Picket Line.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfuLFBQTo4U













OH wait a minute its a Picket Fence, I should have gone to Specsavers:D:D:D

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=catEhS8k_BU :D

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Isn't it strange that they always arrange a strike when there is a weekend involved, this week it was THURSDAY AND FRIDAY and next week it is WEDNESDAY/ THURSDAY/ FRIDAY I am a strong union person, but CWU you make me sick, this is a dispute that will cost you jobs and at this time, where there is big industrial problems ie the recession you are putting your workforce at big risk, and this is wrong.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Post delivered again, by the same postman. This time I did tell him that I wasn't expecting to see him today, he said, well, I have a family to feed. The pittance I get isn't even enough to buy the kids their school uniforms this year."

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Not questions directed at you Flyboy, just what your postie said.

Havnt sifted through all the post's so appolgies if this has been asked before.

What are the hourly rates for postal delivery people, both part time and full time? I know it may vary reigonally, what is the average.

Do they (the striking workers who back the union) think they are alone in getting a low wage?

I work up to 57hrs a week to make ends meet, I dont have an extravagent lifestyle, cant even afford a new (re newer) car. When I pop to my local sorting office to pick up mail I see many cars newer than 3-4 years old.

What is the maximum weight for a postal bag when setting off from the SO?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

So, if it meant helping the " team " or the " Business " would you take a pay cut from your £15 ( approx ) per hour to the minimum wage?
I think most post workers can only dream of being on £15 per hour.
So are you willing to back up your point with action?
The fact that the country is in the state it is does not justify any company doing what it wants to maximise profit at the expense of the worker.
Particularly making people redundant then spreading their work among the other workers, out of order, full stop.



" I use my own car for convey to my delivery round even though RM withdrew my travel allowance about 2 years ago its still faster than waiting for a van for convey as this can take up to 2 hours for which RM will not pay us as we are not technically working. "


ZrByte, reading the above leaves me wondering who needs to " modernise " the worker or the company?
Seems to me the company.
Lets look at it from this angle.
I take a job that involves the need for work to be dropped off at my workplace, I am on a shift of 6 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon, the boss says, " sorry, the stuff will not be with you until 8, but I am only paying you from 8 "
Are there really people who support the above for the good of the Country? or the fact it will keep people in a job?
Another point, when you are taking the mail in your own car, were you to have an accident, are you covered under the companies insurance?
I suppose you only have say Fully Comprehensive Insurance on your car which is only meant for Social, Domestic and Pleasure !

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

No - as being in tech - it will never happen and if the business cant afford me, then theres plenty of people who are willing to pay more. However, I would take more tasks if it ment the business would save £xx per hour. Simple fact is, you wont ever get no more than £8.00 an hour being in the postal service. As I said, its not a very "skilled" job therefore the pay reflects the job.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

But posties aren't on the minimum wage, so I don't understand your premise?:confused:

If you do a google on postmen's salaries, it tends to show that the average salary is approx £21700, which if you divide by 52*35 (weeks and hours in the week) gives £11.92 per hour, against the National Minimum Wage of £5.80 per hour.

And the dispute is also about modernisation of systems and processes.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Seems like catch 22 here - workers want more pay - RM saying no. blah blah blah

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Foreverwar, did I say that Posties were on the minimum wage? No ;)
Webcrawler was making a point that they would take a pay cut for the good of the company, " Teamwork "
I was merely wondering whether that " pay cut " would be down to the National minimum wage if it meant keeping their job.
Webcrawler says No, so thats my end on that matter.;)

---------- Post added at 11:07 ---------- Previous post was at 11:01 ----------


How I would love to have your take on life Webcrawler ;)
Do you have kids?
If so I am sure you have no gripes about that " unskilled " lady/man seeing them safely across the road to school every day.
That attitude is very patronising.
I suggest you read through some job advertisements, there are jobs that involve a lot more responsiblity that are paid less than I am on at the moment, the fact that they are on less pay does not tell the full story.
How much are Nurses on? Domestic Workers in hospitals wiping people's backsides, emptying bedpans?
Enough said.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Maybe it is patronising but i'm looking at it from a business point of view.
Yes I have a child.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Thats not even close, I believe that average may include management or network who are on higher pay grades. My hourly rate is £8.63 I think, All posties and delivery drivers are on the same hourly rate per region. Though I have never spoken to a london postie I have spoken to a few quite close and the highest I have ever heard of is £9.50. You are right though, that is still a sizable amount over min wage. Though I do have to say again that this strike was not about pay rates.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

What can be forgotten too is the fact that some people on minimum wage will get additional money in the way of Rent/Council tax rebates etc.
How much does it cost the country to supplement the minimum wage?
I would suggest that £9.50 per hour is not being greedy.
Just to ask, the news says, or mentions, that it is about pay and other things.
So why are you saying it is not about pay rates?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

To be fair.. and this is how I see it - so your not getting a "fantastic" wage - however especially in this country, there is "extra" help. For example

If you have children:- You will be getting - Child Benefit - around £70 - £80 a month. Aswell, I'll assum your getting Working Tax Credit credits. Which can be anything up to £120 a week. Aswell, with the tax credits you are entitled to a small amount of housing benefit. £30 / £40 a month towards rent - not much but every little helps. So in my eyes, you have nothing to whine about..................

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Well the good thing is, they are having another 'tea break' on Monday with more talks, probably deciding how the posties are going to get there Xmas cards and bonuses.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

They best not get a bonus!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I wonder if the workers will have the gall to complain about their workload when they go back to work?

With all due respect to ZrByte, they probably will.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Probably why they "arranged" a second strike..

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I currently don't claim any benefits, I don't have any children and last time I applied I didn't qualify as I could only prove my 27.5 hour working week as anything else I earn was through computer building etc and I couldn't prove it. That was a couple of years though so I suppose its worth looking into again.
I know it wasn't necessarily meant as a self-help post but you may have helped me out there, I didn't realise it could be even close to that much, thanks.

---------- Post added at 18:41 ---------- Previous post was at 18:38 ----------

We did in 07, I suppose it all boils down to if we have hurt the company as much as people think. Yearly bonuses are paid in april (so plenty of time to recover) and are pro-rata based on how many hours we work and how well the business has done so if we have done damage we wont get a bonus.

---------- Post added at 18:42 ---------- Previous post was at 18:41 ----------


Like in any workplace I suppose, some will complain if the sun is too hot or the rain is too wet while others persevere under the most extreme conditions without making a whisper.
Today was an interesting day actually. Workers couldn't complain about workload if they wanted to as the managers enforced a work to rule policy on all of the delivery staff. I was actually forced to leave more than two thirds of today's mail for my round at the delivery office as there wasn't enough time to sort it. That's particularly interesting as the managers in my DO are normally the first to put a stop to working to rule when we try and enforce it ourselves.
Their reason for this when asked was to stop us booking overtime (quite rightly so) for mail weights etc as they know this couldn't be an issue if they regulated our delivery start times etc. Although of course there are the usual conspiracy theories that the managers are trying to increase the backlog so the government get involved and force the strikes to end etc.
The only real problem with this from the managers point of view is that if working to rule does increase the backlog it actually harms RMs position as it proves we are understaffed etc and this is the part where mechanisation can only do so much to help.

---------- Post added at 18:44 ---------- Previous post was at 18:42 ----------

The only real issue about pay that I can think of is being forced to take on extra duties when we don't have time to do them and not being paid for the extra hours they will take. So basically the pay issue is about overtime.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I spoke to our postman this morning, and he has told me, some of them don't want to strike, as there is plenty of work, but they are being forced to strike by the union.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

If you have kids, you are entitled to Working tax credits. Which should "help" the situation a little.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Well I voted no As I don't think a strike is a good idea. But since the majority vote was yes to striking and not just by a small amount then that's what we do. United we stand, divided we fall etc. Though if he's not a member of the union there's plenty of opportunity to scab (I hate that word too). He wont be popular amongst his peers if they find out but that's the choice at the moment.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Then don't use it. It belongs in the playground and has no place in any adult discussion about labour disputes.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Im not the first person on here to use it and I didnt see you jump on them when they did.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I would have, had I spotted it, I promise you. :)

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Surprisingly after speaking to local postal workers they also have no love of this strike and want no part of it with none of them apparently taking part in it. When i asked further they said all the things that are being striked about are already in place in our town and therefore they see no point in striking. Which if it is true and i have no reason to believe it isn't makes me wonder how legitimate the claim by the union are because i highly doubt our little backwater town has got anything before many other places and if local popstal workers don't see the point in striking how many others are feeling the same.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

None of the cases I've mentioned were documents which could have been identified externally. The most recent letter I referred to was a personal letter from an self employed accountant to his client - NOT an official HMRC marked letter. The two other cases I previously mentioned were also just personal letters. If our postman was so dilligent and caring as to act in the way you decribe, I really don't think he'd keep on delivering items that don't belong to us and posting our mail through other people's doors.

I think you're looking at the wrong end of the equation with respect. If a third party has paid RM to provide a service that should guarantee them proof of delivery they should get that service and not have a postman simply disregard that. As it stands the sender of those items who paid for the service has no proof that they were delivered because no signature was obtained.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Is it me, or do you seem to be trying to jusitfy your strike with wierdness - simple fact, collegues at my work, don't complain about workload and condtions - if it's too warm, somebody will ask around "do you mind if i turn the air con down" same goes if its too cold. If there are lots of tickets, we all pull together as a team and crack on. It's really not that hard. In my eyes, it's about being proactive and getting on with your job in my eyes.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

What you call weirdness I call human nature. People moan, simple really.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Nooo! I see "moaning" about things like - we ran outta milk & sugar. Not just pure and utter whining

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

What?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Moaning isn't what you described - thats just pure and simple whinning for the sake of whinning.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

So what are you doing on here? Seems like the same thing to me.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

It's debate. Debate is healthy. And with Rob's stern warning, I'll say nout on the issue.

When are the RM striking next week then? By law they have to give at least a week's notice, which they did on Thursday, so the earliest they can strike is this coming Thursday, Friday and if it's 3 days Saturday as well then.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Very very healthy debate - I think I make a valid point to be fair..

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

That's right, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. I think its network on Thursday, south of the country on Friday and North on Saturday.

Webcrawler:- Drop it.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

This should do wonders for the popularity of the strike.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8327158.stm

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I hope they get laughed out of court.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Without *sounding* like im trying to start something here as i'm not - l;earnt that lesson. I'm entitled to my "free" speach as long as they are within the terms of the forum - that said, I think this is a very touchy subject. RM workers want more, the "public" see a shocking service already and they collide. It's simple really.

Now onto the court issue. It seems to me a complete and utter waste of time. It seems this Union is pulling at straws. It seems, they are seriously trying to get under the nose or the RM bosses and seriously annoy them. RM will simply power everything they have at this, a team of barristars costing hundreds of thousands. Maybe, this union should stop and look at the bigger ppicture here. RM workers want more money and better standards, etc correct?

However, this union is forcing RM to defend it's self and waste alot of money at this court, that could be put into improovements. So is it a wonder, why RM arn't / can't do more? I'm I alone here?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

You don't sound like you're trying to start anything to me! :)

I think spending money on the court case is something RM have to do versus giving a pay rise during a recession to their workers. They don't have to offer an additional payrise.
They do have to defend themselves, lest they lose by default.
(I also think it's probably cheaper to pay some barristers for one case, rather than an entire workforce more for years to come).

I also think it's rather irresponsible of the union to expect RM to allow the workers that caused the issue of a massive backlog, to be paid overtime while clearing it. This would only cost RM more money.

In fact, i think i do agree in a way with you, if only that the union is trying to cost RM money indirectly. (Or rather, that's what they're doing regardless of intentions).

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Well it's true, despite their intentions of the Union they are indirectly, costing RM alot of cash and RM will defend and being a massive company will throw a specialist barristar for each subject - making a team who will without a doubt rip the Union to shreds. My point is, what the heck is going on?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Yeah because employment law is such a joke...

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Not that. It's the way things are going

They offer a service to the paying public, they should be allowed to keep supplying that service despite the backlog these disputes cause.
Now, they normally employ extra people at this time of the year anyway, so, what's wrong with hiring a few more to ensure that the quality of service, and indeed, of the striking workers workload is up to par?

I mean, if they are striking, they're hardly going to love an extensive workload due to their actions. (Am i right in thinking that they were complaining about workloads and the time it takes to complete their normal jobs?).

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

They have employed double the amount of extra people, something seemingly at odds with RM's stance that business is poor don't you think and no they shouldn't be allowed to 'keep suppying the sevice' when a legitimate, legal strike is going on, workers in this country have precious few rights as it is without eroding their one real power.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Undercover at Royal Mail: parcel basketball, scabs … and yorks


http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/oc...-postal-strike

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I am a strong union person, but this strike is getting pathetic, How many times have they sat down for talks, several times and for what NOTHING, If talks are on offer, then sit down and talk and sort the problem, All the union has to do, is call off the strikes sit down and talk until a decision is made, l spoke to several postman today, and when l spoke to them, they laughed and said 'we are on strike Saturday' you lot are going to lose your jobs becuase of this silly strike, SIT DOWN AND TALK, AND STOP THE STRIKES.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

you don't sound like one , any hoo there talking problem is no ones listening

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I WILL support any strike action, if the strike is justified, BUT tell me what the strike is about, we have heard so many stories over the last couple of weeks, and today we heard that the latest round of talks lasting three days, is to reach agreement over what the new set of talks is going to be about, which sounds a load of cobblers.

According to the media, the RM WANT to talk, but the union won't WHY? the only people that are going to suffer is the postman, who WILL lose there jobs, if the RM lose the government licence, l believe in Liverpool a new company is delivering mail as a tester, if this is successful it will spread across the country.

IF talks are on the table, then surely both parties should sit down until the dispute is resolved.

EACH day l pass a picket line, l toot my support, and l will NEVER cross a picket line.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Well i am supposed to be getting a hospital appointment through the post concerning a new treatment but i guess that will be delayed now as while my local posties are not striking the ones up the road are and thats where it's coming from. Maybe i am being selfish but this is affecting people very much and sorry but right now having a job is more important then having the perfect job.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I suspect, as more people suffer this form of serious inconvenience, what public sympathy there is will be further eroded.

I must say that well known Tory privatiser Mandelson's doing an excellent job of being invisible right now.......

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Am I right in thinking they have a backup workforce? Why not just give them permanent jobs rather than let them all go when the 'real' workers get a deal they are happy with? I don't think this is a time to be demanding things! They have a job and are still unhappy... sack the strikers I say - give their jobs to people will be happy with what they get. Anyone agree with me??

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

So far no one i have spoken with about this has any sympathy with the postal workers and actually i would say anger at them is the more common feeling regarding these strikes.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Our postie was out and about this morning, same as last week.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I have friends that are posies and they are not striking, as they work for a smaller office and cannot afford to strike...

---------- Post added at 13:18 ---------- Previous post was at 13:18 ----------

posties*

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Same here - it'll be interesting to see what the situation is early next week.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Yes it is funny that despite the union saying the membership are fully behind these strikes that so many of them are not taking part in them. Makes you wonder what else the union is being less then truthful on.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

no its a stupid idea

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Well I received post today, 3:45pm but it was here.

Also from that Guardian Royal Mail link there's a ray of hope:

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Your letter is in the cab: Royal Mail bosses beat strike using taxis as Christmas chaos looms

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...#ixzz0VLVyxEHv

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

More misery

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8333190.stm

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced two more strike days for Friday, 6 and Monday, 9 November.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Well i am even more glad that my inconvinience means they can have more long weekends and good on you RM for not letting striking workers sort out the backlog as they don't deserve to be paid to sort out a mess they made themselves.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

You could always give them a call on the telephone. Or even send them an e-mail.

---------- Post added at 11:32 ---------- Previous post was at 11:26 ----------

Yes it is, it's a very stupid idea. Apart from being illegal, what will happen when we get the service as described by the article in the Guardian (see post #463).

Ooh, but wait a minute, you already know about it and still want a service like that. You're not hoping on buying any shares in the privatised company, are you?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Received my post about and hour ago - pretty much the usual time.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I would call them flyboy but my replacement mobile is in the process of being delivered GUESS WHO BY and as for emailing them the hospital are in the process of setting that up apparently and are working on it faster due to the current strike so right now i am screwed as i suspect many people are. Still i like the way i am meant to go out of my way to accomadate the strikers when they are clearly prepared to do the same for us arn't they.

Also if as they say this is all about this deal in 2007 how has it taken so long for it to become a hot potato worth striking about come xmas time 2009 and always in a way that gets nice long weekends how about some midweek strikes that mean they arn't finished for the week on a wednesday.

Face it this time they do not have public support in fact they are angering a large percentage of the public who are more and more getting to the point they wouldn't care if RM did sack the lot of them working really well for them isn't it :rolleyes:.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I still believe the strikers are shooting themselves in the foot.

OK, if they believe Mandelsson (or anyone else in the government) is engineering the strike, why give the government what they believe it wants? Assuming the government is doing this (officially or unofficially), they will have a reason they want to do this. That reason may well be that they want to fully privatise or sell the post office. Any new management is going to work hard to keep the unions out if they think they are going to cause trouble.

Also, the customers will eventually move on to other forms of distribution, which will lose the PO money, and will therefore lead to redundancies. It don't doubt that at least some of those threatened with redundancy will be union members. If those customers turn out to be large companies (like, say, Amazon, Dabs or BT) then those losses will be significant and cause a significant number of redundancies.

As for the complaints about increased levels of work. Well, I am not entirely sympathetic there. My department is currently dealing with a record number of queries (an order of magnitude greater than what is normal) and with less than half the staff we actually need, and they have cut ALL overtime, And, yes, I do work in the public sector and count myself lucky I have a job.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

While I respect your opinion I do not agree.
Why do we not all work 80+ hour weeks for £2.50 per hour because after all, these are hard times, and hey, atleast we have a job! ;)
The royal mail are obviously not short of money, looking at their recent actions, taxi's for scabs etc.
The guys pay their union subs they're entitled to their rights.
Rizzi, can the hospital not find other ways of delivering your appointment card? plenty of private couriers out there.
If the Royal Mail want the Backlog cleared they should pay them the going rate regardless of the action.
Or the Posties could just work their normal hours which will mean longer to clear the backlog.
If I work overtime I like to be paid for it.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I am with RM on this though why pay the same people that caused the backlog more money then they would have got if they kept working to clear up a problem they chose to create. I would rather it took longer to clear the backlog and no overtime was given to one of the striking posties then have my phone quicker by paying a striker. I am unemployed well disabled and unable to work so my view on people striking in jobs is perhaps biased as i would dearly love to work again.

But everyone i know that works has heard what the posties are striking for and generally the same answer keeps coming from them which is "welcome to the real world". This strike action is not going to get what the union wants simple as because not even all the membership of the union is striking therefore clearly it doesn't enjoy complete support from all postal workers so it's doomed from the start. All they are doing is turning the public against them and creating anger which is also the opposite of what you want with strike action.

If i were RM being honest the next time there are redundancies to be made it would be strikers names right up there on the top of the list to go i really don't see how this strike is gaining anything positive for anyone.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Why not use your land-line? I would have thought that would have made me sense. Hospital have e-mail, everyone in the NHS (those that carry out administrative roles and higher) has an e-mail address. If things are that desperate, I'm pretty sure you can e-mail the doctor's secretary.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Damm straight you are lucky to have a job. I know people in the job centre, who would kill to have a job and they wouldnt care. The fact they are in work would be an achievment to them.

Atleast you have a job. I think your being a tad over the top there, if your working for that, then your just not all there, it's against the law. So report it. #

Re: the hospital apointment, why should the NHS of all people, WASTE vital cash on a "private" delivery firm, which could be used to treat somebody?

Jesus.. I am with RM of this one aswell. Why should you be paid anymore to clear the backlog you created? I mean, what the HELL?!?!?!

Talks arnt gonna happen properly as it seems RM are sticking to their guns. I think, all the VM employees should be dismissed and temps taking on through an agency..

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Urgh I hate these strikes they're gonna delay my Visa Debit card!

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I've just applied for a new bank account, thats going to be delayed, which means, I aint going to get paid "on time"

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Bus..._Workers_Union

Also, what a joke. Are the Union moron's seriously trying to annoy a sleeping giant?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Hmm.. Don't see many postmen working 80+ hours a week, and I live two streets away from the local sorting office (I would notice, they use my street as a free car park).,
What, Taxis for people clearing the backlog caused by who? Oh yes, the strikers..
They are. The customer is also entitled to a decent service.
So, an NHS that already has massive funding shortages should use couriers to do something that the Royal Mail is already supposed to be doing?
Why should they be rewarded for clearing a backlog they caused? If I cause a backlog of my own work, I am expected to clear it with no reward.

Would you be paid overtime to clear a backlog of work you caused? If no, why should the Royal Mail be any different?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I've been given a 10 day window to fill in the fraud documents that Barclays sent to me..I hope that they get there in time because the implied threat is that the case won't proceed if they arrive late even though I got them late..and despite the assurances I was given at the bank yesterday I'm not too sure that they will care if the documents sit in some sorting office somewhere instead of being delivered to the correct address within the 10 day window.:erm:

I sympathise as I do think the government handed a very unfair situation to the Royal Mail management after giving away the money making parts of their service to other companies and leaving them with the very much reduced snail mail to try and make profit on.

Inevitably it was going to impinge onto the postal workers and their working conditions,pay and job security.

However destroying the goodwill of the public is no way to win their support.:(

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Webcrawler, the fact that the country is in the state it is in, which by the way is not the fault of the Royal Mail Workers or Anyone other than the Government, is no reason for Workers Rights to be Ignored.
Do you not Get that?
The Health Service should have in place contingency plans, correct?
The RM ( not VM ) Workers are taking Lawful Action, you may find that inconvenient or not agree with it but that is their given right, a right that they pay weekly/monthly Subs to have.
Your suggestion would be as far as I know would be Illegal, but we will find out on Friday about that.
Royal Mail workers have not caused the backlog, the company and the workers combined failing to find a solution has caused the Backlog.
But ofcourse, feel free to sit on one side of the argument.
I do not know how old you are, but it has always been the practice that when there was extra work needed after a dispute the workers were paid the Going Rate, be that time and a half/Double time.
It happened in the car industry years ago Webcrawler, and those workers were paid their correct wages for the hours extra they worked.

---------- Post added at 09:53 ---------- Previous post was at 09:48 ----------


I can totally understand your point Mags.
But tell me, will public goodwill put food on the table or pay their mortgages etc?
Are you willing to say to the Workers " Tell you what, get my documents to Barclays and I will pay this months Mortgage for you " ?
Ofcourse not, so it leaves the situation as it is at the moment.
There does come a time when workers feel agrieved that a line has to be drawn in the sand, whether or not you agree with their reasoning.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

And it's public good will that can make governments and employers change tactics..without it you've lost half the fight already.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Mags, if the workers have a dispute with their employer, do you think that the company are going to meet their demands solely on the point that the workers have the support of the public?
Particularly if all the workers had was the support of the public and did not have the right to withdraw their Labour?
Relying on public goodwill will do nothing to give the workers what they want, and how are the Government going to change Tact?
They will just say " Whats the fuss? the Posties are still delivering the mail, the public are out their waving their postman pat flags! "
So the Government will not feel the need to get involved.
After all, where is the point? if all the posties can rely on is the public/government and not the Ballot Box.
It will not put food on the table/pay the mortgage relying on goodwill.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Flyboy i know this might be hard for you to get but i am only doing things the way the hospital told me too and the reason i am not using my landline is because they have given me some text message thing to send which i can't do on a landline. I really am loving this "the public can go out of their way to handle this" attitude some have in relation to these strikes and were all meant to accept these strikes well i don't and neither do the vast majority.

It's the wrong time in the wrong way and your losing the support you need if you are to have a chance to win how is that the right way to do things.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Well neither will a failed company and no job as a result...and think how many companies are now using alternative methods of mail.My inbox is full of company emails from various mail order companies assuring me their customer, that they are not using Royal Mail anymore for deliveries..and I think as Christmas looms and busy workers who would rather use online services rather than go to the high street to get Christmas presents and then have to find a way to post said presents to family how many of the public will be still as supportive.

As I write this I have a strange feeling of deja vu.It's not the first time that postal workers have picked the run up to Christmas to turn the screws..:(

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Mags,Mags, Mags ;)
Without the tool of industrial action the public do not give a toss, sorry to be blunt, but that is a fact.
So they have to fight their own corner, by the way, seems common sense to choose the busiest time of the year to take industrial action.
Yes, I concede to your point about businesses looking elsewhere for their needs, but Royal Mail had 2 years to sort things, the last deal was sorted in 2007?
Sorry, but my criticism is against Royal Mail and the Government, certainly not the posties, exercising their democratic right to not be walked over.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

You are not being asked to "go out of your way" at all. It takes nothing to pick up a phone and talk to the hospital. They are not going to ignore you because you haven't sent a text. What it does seem, however, is that you are prepared to be bloody-minded and pretend to be put out, because your new mobile telephone hasn't arrived yet. You would rather blame Royal Mail workers, for missing a hospital appointment, than pick up a telephone, dial the number and speak to the hospital. If it wasn't them, it would be someone else.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Wow and i needed you to tell me how to use a landline as clearly it would never have occured to me to do it i love how you assume i havn't rather then thinking that maybe i am so peed off because that option is not available. For any phone call to them i have to quote my reference and can you guess where the reference is in relation to my specific appointment in case you don't it's on the letter they sent me which i still don't have.

No one needs to "make up" problems with this bout of industrial action because it is genuinely causing many people problems still as long as your ok i guess we should all be happy for them to strike.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I'm more than happy to support postal workers but when the whole thing is over one way or another I hope I will be getting the £197 back in my account after my card was cloned and not be out of pocket because the documents arrived late.This was money that I worked very hard for and I don't see me being reimbursed by you or Royal Mail if I lose out..

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Rizzy, I would guess that the Hospital that have given you the appointment will have a record of the details of your appointment, including the reference number.
So if you call them, giving them your details, as I have in the past, they will or should be able to tell you when your appointment is.
What are you going to say when the hospital contact you after the dispute and ask why you did not turn up?
Will they not think that you could have telephoned them on the landline to get your appointment details?
I think they will Rizz.
But if you feel happy blaming someone taking legal action fine.;)

---------- Post added at 09:53 ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 ----------


While I understand your situation Mags, what do you suggest people do when they go through the usual channels of airing a dispute and get nowhere?
Just carry on working so letters can arrive at their intended destination ?
I mean after all, the ones who are striking are not being paid, they too are losing money.
So they carry on working and in the meantime the employer carries on in the manner that they do because they know that said worker/s will do nothing but huff and puff about how unfairly they are treated.
Sorry Mags, while I appreciate your situation, we do not pay union subs just for lip service.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Well some of them clearly do - so far as I can tell, all the regular posties at our local delivery office have worked every strike day so far.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Glad to be of help :D

Well...that's your hospital's fault then and not the Royal Mail workers'. I detest having to quote reference numbers for access to databases, because it is wholly unnecessary. All the hospitals I have ever had contact with, are able to find my details by using my name and address. There is never any need for quoting reference numbers to anyone. The way computer based databases are constructed, allows the user to search for any part of the data, to access a target record. It is called one-to-many mapping and results in a many-to-one or many-to-many basket of data.

Why can't your hospital do that?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I don't know why they cannot maybe it is because it is my first appointment with this doctor and therefore no previous information to go through funnily enough they neglected to go into that on the phone which for the benefit of those who still havn't got it i have used my landline and got nowhere.

I still havn't seen a credible answer for why they have waited so long to strike about issues that were supposedly so urgent for the last TWO YEARS or why it is these strikes seem to happen at weekends rather then mid week ???. Maybe i would have more sympathy for these postal workers if one clear line as to why they are striking was agreed on instead of the different lines from different people all the damn time and also an explanation why some postal workers feel so strongly about it and some don't seem to care and are not having anything to do with these strikes.

So when all that is sorted out then come asking me or anyone else in the public for support because right now it stinks of the same old whingers with the same old agendas that are incapable of moving on and accepting that times and work changes like most of the workforce in this country came to terms with many years ago.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I have to send a jiffy bag to a friend in the UK. Can I get a confirmation that Royal Mail Special Delivery won't be affected by the strike/sorting business?

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Ask at your post office whether or not they have suspended the next-day 1pm guarantee.

Re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

We have been told not to guarantee the next day service. Although in reality most Special Deliveries seem to be getting through as they are prioritised.