Near the start of this dispute with Royal Mail, the Membership within Deliveries at Southend Mail Centre became increasingly impatient with the way CWU Headquarters was being ignored by Royal Mail.
Members soon worked out that one way of clawing back some of the money lost during this period was to leave the car at home and use either a cycle, high capacity trolley or just let the conveyance vehicle take the strain, saving £15-£25 per week in petrol.
As will be the case with many offices, it was apparent from the start that there was not enough equipment to go round.
As you are all aware, years of neglect and office savings have allowed the Business to become reliant on postal workers using their own vehicles.
The immediate reaction by Managers was to state that this was a form of
industrial action.
After contacting Headquarters we received the literature that cleared us completely and more importantly supported the idea.
After just one day, mail started piling up. Royal Mail didn't have enough bikes or vehicles to relay staff to their deliveries on time, or even meet 11kg pouches while on delivery. This forced members to cut off delivery at the end of their duties.
Royal Mail thought it was time to bring in the heavy Mob! Managers were drafted in from all parts of the country.
We soon learnt what this meant. One manager to every six members of staff.
Managers decided to stand behind staff whilst sorting, then instructed members to stop talking to work colleagues. Finally staff was told to present all bags ready for conveyance to another Manager who would drop you off on delivery and feed your mail to you.
Apologies to Holbeach where ever you are for nicking your crew bus but honestly lads I think we did you a favour.
I cannot say whether managers had been briefed but a quote leaked by one manager was "crack them by the weekend and you will be back in your office by Monday". Yet other managers drafted in thought it was good to spend a day by the sea.
Younger Members of staff were particular targets.
Once that did not work the next tactic was to freeze all overtime for anyone in delivery. This meant postal staff could not protract on delivery, even if they wanted to.
In addition to this, random prep tests were performed and trumped up charges regarding failure to obey a reasonable instruction was being handed out like confetti.
I have to say that even Prison Warders learn that clamping down on inmates only serves to harden attitudes towards them so it better to treat people with respect and gain respect.
Management tried every way in the book possible to attempt to get the mail out for delivery, even informing staff to tie up their walks before they even had the chance to prep their frames, leaving more mail for the following day.
Finally management are starting to talk to us with a view to supply the correct equipment to do the job properly obviously after a Meal Relief.
We are still left with a list of issues to resolve that have been brought in by executive action including 8 x32 hour contracts against vacancies without agreement.
Keith Elgar
Delivery Representative |
