COUNTERS ANNUAL REPORT 2007
Looking back on the year it has been quite an eventful one for
all of the Royal Mail Group, we have been faced with an employer
that seems adamant that we are over paid for what we do and they
seem to take pleasure in telling us “there’s no more
money in the pot for wages”.
Due to the arrogant approach from them (as they genuinely believed
we would not go on strike) we were left with no alternative but
to take Industrial Action.
Some people thought the part day strikes would not be effective
but I believe they did have an impact. Managers were drafted in
from all over the country to keep a percentage of offices open
– but this was a very costly exercise for them. Hotels,
train fares, expenses and paying for flights to send managers
from one end of the country to another must have run into thousands
of pounds if not hundred thousands by the time the strike ended.
While we were on strike it was revealed in the newspaper that
Adam Crozier was given a massive 26% pay rise and a bonus in excess
of £200,000, quite obscene and insulting to tell us “there’s
no money in the pot” don’t you think?
The support given by YOU was tremendous I know some of you have
partners who also work in Royal Mail so financially some people
were hit twice but still stuck to the strike - as we all know
that once we give in to the employer over pay and basic issues
we will lose everything that this union has fought to get over
the years.
We also saw the business embark on a massive campaign on television,
“The Peoples Post Office” with stars (?) such as Joan
Collins and Wendy Richards – who no doubt now in their pension
years have a Post Office Card Account and visit their local “Peoples
Post Office” every week.
The pay deal that we have gives us a deal for three years, full
timers also gained a shorter working week and work wise there
will be opportunities to move towards the FSS role, the DBM role
has ceased and Assistant Managers will now be in place but as
of yet if you chose not to take up the role we are uncertain as
to how excess staff will be dealt with, although it has been indicated
BOSA.
Unfortunately this year also saw WH Smith cherry pick and take
our offices, included in this massive closure programme locally
we will see Charing Cross and Liverpool St Johns close early in
2008. This will leave no Crown offices on the Wirral.
The “For Sale” sign is there for any retailer to
come along and take what it wants – or that how it seems,
we saw this year the business trying to bribe and gag members
who dared to ask about TUPE.
If you are in an office that is about to franchise over to WH
Smith POL have agreed to give an additional £1000.00 (this
payment is over and above MTSF) providing you did not go on strike
plus you have to maintain 90% or more of target income at the
time of conversion.
This blackmail did entice some people not to strike but due to
Andy Furey and his team of negotiators this clause was removed,
- anyone is entitled to strike after a legitimate ballot has taken
place. This is also proof that a union can influence change and
challenge on our behalf, do not under estimate what can be done
and what has been done on your behalf.
Well that was the year that was…
What does the next twelve months hold for us?
“The Peoples Union”….
Happy New Year.
Julie Courtney,
Counters Section Secretary
