re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Tell that to my employer who you know well.

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Because people who do jobs well, and are experienced, tend to be more expensive than people who are not quite so experienced but willing to learn. In my experience, for a lot of jobs, companies are less interested in someone who does a job well than someone who does it adequately but cheaply.

Look at the variable quality of VM installs for proof of this.

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

i haven't spoken to her majesty for some time, but will send your regards when i do ..

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

I think the Union are a little out of touch here, though. While I think that Unions can be a *good* thing (they can be handy with employers whose own employers do not respect their rights), I think the Union is being a little stupid here.

I realise I don't know the full story, but based on what I have seen in TV, striking seems to be about the most stupid action they could take.

The Royal Mail is in trouble. They have had a lot of competitors spring up, and their core business (sending letters) is being largely overtaken by various electronic forms of communications (email, texts, twitter, facebook, IM etc).

RM's main growth area has probably been mail order deliveries. Now, the union seems to be intent on attacking that. Losing Amazon is gong to hurt a company that is already in trouble.

I'll say again, I think Unions can be a good idea. However, they need to negotiate with Management to obtain the best solution to problems (best to both sides). Strikes are a valid tool, but only after ALL other options have been exhausted.

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

We know a rural postman, the cuts they are being forced to taking in hours are affecting him providing for his family the way he used to.

I personally do not believe in strikes.
My bins are over flowing up here n Leeds, as the bin have been on strike for ages.

What do all these workers do to state their case?

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

From what little I've heard, the union (amongst other things) seems to be claiming that the management are trying to drive the business into the ground although I don't quite understand why they'd do that.. :confused: If they're correct, however, I wonder whether the union's considered that by taking strike action just prior to Xmas they may just be doing exactly what the management want...

Anyway, after almost 25 years at this address, I'd be a hell of a lot more likely to support them if they stopped putting letters with the wrong address through my door and doing likewise with mine. Not a lot to ask really, I mean you just have to glance at the letters and make sure they have the same number on - you know that big brass number that's right there on the door just above the letter box... It's hardly rocket science is it?...

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

That and many more services will disappear, because they are not profitable enough.

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

And i'm sure if/when the modernisation is completed they'll have even less work to do.

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

An excellent question, Lucy. They only take these actions when there are absolutely no other alternatives. No worker likes to be on strike. It means there are no wages coming in and they do not qualify for benefits. But if it means they have protected their jobs and conditions and are able to put food on the table after it, it will have been worth it. Leeds City Council's attitude is, "we won't even consider talking to them, until they roll over and accept our new terms."

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

So what about the small businessman who relies on mail order deliveries to satisfy his ever-dwindling customers, who can he strike against?

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

Well he can always stop supplying his customers! Oh hang on a minute, if he does that he'll go bust wont' he.......

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

he could use one of those other couriers that are allegedly so much more reliable than rm.

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

So basically while the rest of Europe and much of the world will be enjoying their delivered Xmas prezzies,f amily cards and ordered goods,Britain will have no cards,prezzies and what not not.Brilliant! :mad:

I wonder what planet the unions live on.I also wonder if the postal workers have entered the 21st Century,and actually give a toss about the rest of the country?
No wonder we are the laughing stock of Europe,this country sometimes,and all too often at that,is a complete joke!

All of us will have to work much longer and a lot harder,that's the way things are going,like it or not... maybe someone could bother to tell the RM employees!? :td:

No sympathy from me here,sorry! :rant:

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread
 

What do you mean by "no alternatives" though?
Many strikes, especially over lack of pay rises and redundancies, are simply where the union doesn't want to admit that such managerial decisions are required and there is no alternative.
Rather than costing the company more and thus potentially leading to more redundancies or liquidation, unions in that situation should concentrate on pushing for relocation of suitable employees to other positions in the company, supporting their members with new training, using their networks to help members into new jobs, and ensuring their members are out of work recieve all the benefits they are entitled to.

Royal Mail for instance needs to modernise, replace workers with automation to reduce costs so that it can continue to be competative and continue employing as many people as it needs.
The unions should be ensuring that the modernisation takes place without non-required job losses, and supporting those who are made redundant as I've said above.
Not risking more jobs by losing lucrative contracts.

re: [Update] The Royal Mail strike thread