CWU Follow

Postal workers, members of the CWU union at Essex, London and Nottingham distribution centres are being balloted on whether to strike in a dispute over working practices.

The CWU union's postal executive met on Thursday 20 July and once more rejected the latest deal from Royal Mail. The executive demanded more amendments and rejected any attempt to link new government investment with privatisation. However, the votes to reject the deal was very close, and the executive did not reinstate the strike ballot. Socialist Worker supporters in the post are circulating this leaflet.

A deal on pay and conditions was thrown into crisis by Royal Mail’s arrogant dismissal of the CWU union this week.

CWU union leaders were set to issue formal notice of a national strike ballot this week, although last minute talks with management were happening as Socialist Worker went to press.

The CWU postal executive committee is suggesting acceptance of a new deal over pay and conditions. But it would be a mistake to end the campaign which has rocked Royal mail chairman Allan Leighton and forced him to back off from some of his attacks. 

Gill Whittaker campaign Over 60 people lobbied the disciplinary hearing for Chesterfield PCS activist Gill Whittaker on Friday of last week. Those attending included delegations from the GMB, CWU, Amicus, UCU unions, Chesterfield trades council and the Derbyshire Unemployed Workers’ Centre. Speakers at the rally included Paul Holmes MP.

CWU union leaders abandoned their declared timetable and drew back from issuing official notification of a strike ballot on Monday of this week.

Postal workers have voted in huge numbers to reject their bosses’ agenda and have moved closer to a national strike ballot over pay.

CWU postal workers’ union members at the Oxford mail centre walked out spontaneously at lunchtime on Wednesday of last week.

An excellent CWU union local meeting was held in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, recently to discuss the Lib Dems’ idea of part privatisation of the Post Office. This proposal means that 49 percent of the company would be sold off, 25 percent kept by the government and 26 percent kept in a trust by the employees.

In a hostile act, Royal Mail has decided to impose on postal workers a pay offer already rejected by the CWU union. The imposition immediately follows the company's heavy-handed attempt to ban the union's consultative ballot on the future of the industry which includes a focus on higher basic pay.

THE NATIONAL executive of the CWU union was discussing key motions this week.