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Three days of postal strikes in jobs dispute
Dick Murray08.07.09
Thousands of postal workers began three days of strikes today in an escalating row over jobs, pay and cuts.
Communication Workers Union chiefs and Royal Mail management remain at loggerheads with no sign of an end to the long conflict. Each blames the other for the dispute.
Postmen and women walk out today, distribution and logistics staff tomorrow and mail centres on Friday. Post Offices and Parcelforce Worldwide services are not affected. More than 9,000 London postal workers staged a 24-hour strike last month with a one-day national stoppage ordered for 17 July.
CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said the company failed to agree to a three-month moratorium on industrial action so talks on modernisation could be held. He said: “Management seem to be sulking because the prospect of privatisation and increased executive pay has disappeared.”
A Royal Mail spokesman said the offer was “nothing more than an attempt, backed by the threat of strike action, to halt the modernisation process”.
British Airways chiefs were to meet union bosses today in a last-ditch attempt to prevent strikes. The two sides are at odds over plans to cut 4,000 jobs.
Reader views (5)
This strike action is highly frustrating! They really should consider the consequences to all the individual consumers that they are affecting before simply and abruptly calling strikes. We the consumers are the people who are feeling the emotional and financial impact as a result of this. I think it’s a disgrace!
- Sarahc, London
So post workers don't get enough money ?
WHAT ABOUT POOR PEOPLE ON BENIFITS ?
WHAT ABOUT POOR PEOPLE ON BENIFITS ?
WHAT ABOUT POOR PEOPLE ON BENIFITS ?
People who are so poor that they can't afford to miss the post. They rely on royal mail to deliver and cash their benifit's.
SO... A single parent can afford to live without food , fuel and money ?
What about the children ?
All because the postal workers can get a few extra pence in their wages.
SELFISH.
HOPE YOU ALL GET FIRED FOR BEING GREEDY.
Then the single parents getyour jobs..
It's what you all deserve !
- Mr Mann, belfast Northern Ireland
Real Businesses rely on loyal customers who want reliable, efficent & econimical sevice from point to point. > ROYAL MAIL CANNOT DLEIVER THIS BECAUSE OF THEIR WEAKNESSES
Real Businesses are only as strong as their weakest point. > THE WORKFORCE ARE THE WEAKEST POINT.
The workforce have to wake up to the real world. Why should we use a service that may be working or on strike, are unreliable, loss mail & don't know the meaning of customer service, when email is cheaper, quicker, greener & doesn't get lost?
Keep alienating your customers and you won't have any jobs. Customers paying, provide money for your wages.
Whether we like change or not, it happens. Rather than resist it put your energy & efforts into being a part of the change.
- Pete, Manchester
I would just like to amke the point that I think this is ridiculous now. It seems to be the sightest thing will cause a strike leaving the rest of us to suffer the fall out! - get your acts together!
- Lauren Monaghan, Walthamstow
CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said the company failed to agree to a three-month moratorium on industrial action so talks on modernisation could be held. He said: “Management seem to be sulking because the prospect of privatisation and increased executive pay has disappeared.”
The attitude rather says it all. Perhaps Mr Ward is looking to transfer into transport.
- Matt, London
