On the day the strikes across the country was called off, night staff arrived for work to find managers performing postal workers work.
Staff felt so strongly about the situation that some staff in work areas refused to work with them.
Two night reps, then at 22.45pm the area processing rep (Vince Thurnell) arrived to try and resolve the matter, where it was agreed with the night shift manager to hold a meeting in the canteen.
At this meeting the staff made it quite clear that they were not happy working with managers.
The meeting was first addressed by the night rep, then Vince took over explaining why he didn't think taking unofficial industrial action was the best option. At the end of the meeting the staff agreed to return to work, which they did.
After a brief meeting with the night manager, Vince left the building, leaving the night reps to sort out any further problems that may have arisen.
No contact was made between Vince and senior management until the next day, where Vince received a one line letter inviting him for a meeting on the following Tuesday.
Again, no further contact was made until the meeting where Vince Thurnell and Graeme Strange was handed a three page document highlighting the penalties that were now to be imposed on staff because of, in Royal Mail’s words 'unofficial industrial action'.
Further to this Vince was informed that his release time had been taken away for a period of one month, with other reps release to be looked at.
The document stated that all unofficial breaks and scheduled attendance for all night shift employees would be taken away. SA allocation would now be performed by the book room.
When asked why the area reps release time had been taken away despite him advising the membership to go back to work, the answer that came back was twofold: firstly Royal Mail believe that the area rep has a responsibility to stop any unofficial action and despite him stopping the action they deem that as unacceptable. Secondly, the CWU was told that Royal Mail can't have people listening to the Union and not Royal Mail.
Following Royal Mail’s forced imposition both area divisional reps came to Chelmsford to try and resolve the issues.
After a three hour meeting with Royal Mail, the divisional officers believed they had reached a way forward.
Royal Mail stated that they believed the CWU had organised a go slow. If the CWU agreed to try and assist clearing the backlog of mail they would re-assess the situation on Friday.
That Friday, Royal Mail informed divisional officers that they would not be changing their position. Despite the CWU holding daily shift meetings with shift managers on the early and late shift (the night rep asked for a meeting but it never took place), and the office making in roads to clearing the backlog. Despite not having enough equipment and the late shift being short of over 50 duties on Thursday evening.
We believe people are being unfairly punished for things that they had no power to stop.
We are asking members at this time not to have any adverse reaction to what Royal Mail are doing, and whatever happens in your work area you continue to work normally.
We are currently seeking advice as to what we should do next but be rest assured we will not let the matter rest.
Download and read the 'Return to Work' statement from Royal Mail...
Download: 07_14_08_chelmsford_penalties_imposed.pdf |
