Editor's Blog4 mins ago
Postal strikes - a few things the public don't know
Because of space limitations, this will have to be on two or more posts.
As you can probably gather from my screen name I am a postman, and have been for the last 18years. Oddly enough, when I started, they not only made bags of money for themselves, they also did so for the government, and so did we as postmen - I actually earned more in 1996 than I do now! The service was better too, because it was treated as a service and most had pride in the job. I've made this post so that the public may have a better idea of what is going on about the reason for the strikes.
Now I realise that for people waiting for stuff the strike is very inconvenient, and for that we are sorry. However, over the last five years or so to us in the know the postal service has been run down and down, and it's getting worse. This is just my opinion but I reckon the government is also behind that in some way - they certainly do little to improve it, and seem content to just let the decline continue. I suspect the same regarding Post Office closures, as they are also part of the business. Given Gordon Browns comments about we should go back to work, I for one will be withdrawing the political levy from my union fees, and I daresay I won't be alone � perhaps they should remember where a large part of their political fund comes from.
Anyway, this dispute is also about pensions and salary (our pension fund has had serious mismanagement for many years, making it worth less than it should, and we have not had a pay increase for nearly two years). However, it is fundamentally about changes management is determined to impose, changes which will have serious repercussions on the ordinary employees and the service. In a nutshell that could be 40,000 job losses and a job no better than being a slave at their master's beck and call for those left.
As you can probably gather from my screen name I am a postman, and have been for the last 18years. Oddly enough, when I started, they not only made bags of money for themselves, they also did so for the government, and so did we as postmen - I actually earned more in 1996 than I do now! The service was better too, because it was treated as a service and most had pride in the job. I've made this post so that the public may have a better idea of what is going on about the reason for the strikes.
Now I realise that for people waiting for stuff the strike is very inconvenient, and for that we are sorry. However, over the last five years or so to us in the know the postal service has been run down and down, and it's getting worse. This is just my opinion but I reckon the government is also behind that in some way - they certainly do little to improve it, and seem content to just let the decline continue. I suspect the same regarding Post Office closures, as they are also part of the business. Given Gordon Browns comments about we should go back to work, I for one will be withdrawing the political levy from my union fees, and I daresay I won't be alone � perhaps they should remember where a large part of their political fund comes from.
Anyway, this dispute is also about pensions and salary (our pension fund has had serious mismanagement for many years, making it worth less than it should, and we have not had a pay increase for nearly two years). However, it is fundamentally about changes management is determined to impose, changes which will have serious repercussions on the ordinary employees and the service. In a nutshell that could be 40,000 job losses and a job no better than being a slave at their master's beck and call for those left.
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I'm not sure if princess actually understands the situation. She complains about having to wait for her mail because of the strike but also complains about having it delivered at midday. Is this not a contradiction.
The late (normal) delivery is due to RM working practices and not the postmen. Postdog is quite correct to say tht RM cares little for the general public and more for the money they make from big business.
Princess, if Postdog and colleagues took no action and you ended up having to pay �1 to send a letter and having to collect your own post you would probably complain that he did nothing about it.
It seems that there is no pleasing some people.
The late (normal) delivery is due to RM working practices and not the postmen. Postdog is quite correct to say tht RM cares little for the general public and more for the money they make from big business.
Princess, if Postdog and colleagues took no action and you ended up having to pay �1 to send a letter and having to collect your own post you would probably complain that he did nothing about it.
It seems that there is no pleasing some people.
Monty the simple answer is no. One of the things that will be done now (hopefully by everyone, but there are always those who think juist of themselves) is that we will start to do the job properly - taking breaks when entitled, not using cars on delivery, etc. Hopefully the management will realise that us doing that will cost them more in the long run, and there isn't anything they can do about it. So the mail will be later, or, in my case, not at all for some people beccause there won't be enough time. Maybe they'll get casuals in, who knows.
Monty, Yeah, we do have thought for the public - that's why I put this post, so many would realise it is not solely about a pay rise. This is akin to a work to rule - management rules BTW - and if that's the only way they get to realise that the job cannot be done that way AND get all the mail delivered, then that's the only way.
I wish I could just get it across that it is not us who has set the ball rolling on this issue. We've tried making our points and negotiating across the table over time, but to no avail.
I wish I could just get it across that it is not us who has set the ball rolling on this issue. We've tried making our points and negotiating across the table over time, but to no avail.
Postdog, I agree that your terms and conditions should not be radically changed, but you should understand that some chages have to be made.
You say that your union has tried to make its point and to negotiate across the table, that is like saying we tried but we did'nt get what we wanted so we are going to strike and hit the general public until we get what we want.
It's a catch 22 situation, no matter what, the public lose, especially as you yourself have admitted you will not work to clear the backlog. I'm afraid you lost my support with that comment.
You say that your union has tried to make its point and to negotiate across the table, that is like saying we tried but we did'nt get what we wanted so we are going to strike and hit the general public until we get what we want.
It's a catch 22 situation, no matter what, the public lose, especially as you yourself have admitted you will not work to clear the backlog. I'm afraid you lost my support with that comment.
Well I didn't word it very well but the point I was trying to make is for too long, it's only because we have cut corners, not taken breaks, used cars etc, that the delivery was able to be completed. I would prefer to just get in my car after the last letter and head home, and yes I made a little time by not waiting for bag drops etc, but it was all swings and roundabouts on both sides. It's just a sad fact that if the only way to prove delivery targets by their standards are impossible, then we'll have to do it. Besides, my pay will be cut from this week - I can no longer afford the petrol I use on delivery.
Postdog, you have my support as a member of the public and a life long trade unionist, sure its a bit inconvenient not getting mail on time but i have been on the receiving end of such practises as banked hours in my own industry. How would some of the detractors on here like to go to work and not know what time they would be leaving off ?
Lucy Thomas - if you actually read my post correctly you would see that I was not complaining about not getting my mail for a few days, I said:
'I realise you need to stand up for what you believe, so I, and many others, can live without post for a few days, however, there are probably thousands waiting for that all important letter and they're not going to get it in time'
I was thinking of the people who may be desperately waiting a letter. Also, how is it a contradiction to say 'I remember when I was younger I'd wake up and the post would be here, now we're lucky if we get it be 12 if at all' What exactly am I contradicting? Also, I'm not even complaing, simply stating facts! I'm not bothered if my post isn't delievered til noon, I'm out at work so won't read it til I get home anyway, whether it be delivered early in the morning or in the afternoon!
If it came to me having to pay �1 to post a letter then I simply wouldn't do it - I'd email or phone someone up. I'm sure it wouldn't last long the higher post rates as people would just stop using postal services and find an alternative. As for collecting my mail, yes I admit that would be annoying, however it would soon by routine, like a weekly trip to the supermarket or a weekly trip to collect the post.
Like I said in my post I can understand why Posties are on strike and I can support it, but unfortunately I think it's in vain, and in the long run will make it more difficult for them.
In addition, please take time to read posts properly before getting on your high horse and throwing a hissy fit. Thanks.
'I realise you need to stand up for what you believe, so I, and many others, can live without post for a few days, however, there are probably thousands waiting for that all important letter and they're not going to get it in time'
I was thinking of the people who may be desperately waiting a letter. Also, how is it a contradiction to say 'I remember when I was younger I'd wake up and the post would be here, now we're lucky if we get it be 12 if at all' What exactly am I contradicting? Also, I'm not even complaing, simply stating facts! I'm not bothered if my post isn't delievered til noon, I'm out at work so won't read it til I get home anyway, whether it be delivered early in the morning or in the afternoon!
If it came to me having to pay �1 to post a letter then I simply wouldn't do it - I'd email or phone someone up. I'm sure it wouldn't last long the higher post rates as people would just stop using postal services and find an alternative. As for collecting my mail, yes I admit that would be annoying, however it would soon by routine, like a weekly trip to the supermarket or a weekly trip to collect the post.
Like I said in my post I can understand why Posties are on strike and I can support it, but unfortunately I think it's in vain, and in the long run will make it more difficult for them.
In addition, please take time to read posts properly before getting on your high horse and throwing a hissy fit. Thanks.
Posties do a good job but I remember when I was younger <b?I'd wake up and the post would be here, now we're lucky if we get it be 12 if at all.
It's annoying not having important mail delievered, the ony people who are missing out are the customers. I realise you need to stand up for what you believe, so I, and many others, can live without post for a few days, however, there are probably thousands waiting for that all important letter and they're not going to get it in time due to a disagreement about pay.
Princess, I think that you need to remember exactly what you have written before you criticise my reply. I have highlighted your responses to show exactly what you said.
If you work in a job that has paid leave, enhancements for weekends or night work and a pension then remember that a trade union fought for those rights. To criticise Postdog for standing up for the same rights is both hypocritical and immoral.
It's annoying not having important mail delievered, the ony people who are missing out are the customers. I realise you need to stand up for what you believe, so I, and many others, can live without post for a few days, however, there are probably thousands waiting for that all important letter and they're not going to get it in time due to a disagreement about pay.
Princess, I think that you need to remember exactly what you have written before you criticise my reply. I have highlighted your responses to show exactly what you said.
If you work in a job that has paid leave, enhancements for weekends or night work and a pension then remember that a trade union fought for those rights. To criticise Postdog for standing up for the same rights is both hypocritical and immoral.
I found this a brilliantly-worded post, so thank you Postdog. The main points you raised were -
on the customer service side: 1) the service is being run down by the company, 2) the competition won't deliver the final mile, they'll just cream off the volume work.
on Employment Terms for staff: 3) pensions erosion 4) reduction in salary including loss of shift allowances and overtime opportunities 5) the requirement to work flexible hours.
I won't comment on all of these - the post would be too long.
Point 2) above. I would just say 'watch out'. Change is inevitable and humans as a race tend to resist change - it's uncomfortable and requires adaptation. Innovators will find a way of delivering alternatives - maybe not as we know the current service. Although I don't know the numbers, it strikes me that a large proportion of the 170,000 people employed by Royal Mail Ltd are involved in this final mile - both collecting from boxes or delivery. Since the nature of this personalised service must be 'human-powered' and labour in this country is expensive, I predict attempts will be made soon to persuade the public to collect their own mail from a central box. Fanciful? - well it happens in many other countries. People arrive with a key to their little personalised box at the same time as they pick up their milk (sic). Did the daily milk service decline because of lack of service by the loyal milkman? I think not - it failed because a critical mass of customers were willing to save around 7p per pint by going elsewhere. I'm not saying that would be a good thing - I'm saying the customer will drive the outcome in the longer term. And the longer the strike disrupts the customers' service, the quicker competitors will innovate.
on the customer service side: 1) the service is being run down by the company, 2) the competition won't deliver the final mile, they'll just cream off the volume work.
on Employment Terms for staff: 3) pensions erosion 4) reduction in salary including loss of shift allowances and overtime opportunities 5) the requirement to work flexible hours.
I won't comment on all of these - the post would be too long.
Point 2) above. I would just say 'watch out'. Change is inevitable and humans as a race tend to resist change - it's uncomfortable and requires adaptation. Innovators will find a way of delivering alternatives - maybe not as we know the current service. Although I don't know the numbers, it strikes me that a large proportion of the 170,000 people employed by Royal Mail Ltd are involved in this final mile - both collecting from boxes or delivery. Since the nature of this personalised service must be 'human-powered' and labour in this country is expensive, I predict attempts will be made soon to persuade the public to collect their own mail from a central box. Fanciful? - well it happens in many other countries. People arrive with a key to their little personalised box at the same time as they pick up their milk (sic). Did the daily milk service decline because of lack of service by the loyal milkman? I think not - it failed because a critical mass of customers were willing to save around 7p per pint by going elsewhere. I'm not saying that would be a good thing - I'm saying the customer will drive the outcome in the longer term. And the longer the strike disrupts the customers' service, the quicker competitors will innovate.
Part 2
Employment terms - there's a bunch of issues in here that revolve around the ability of the company to pay staff a decent salary package. But central Government is committed to partition off chunks of 'essential public services' and make them stand on their own two feet. And Royal Mail Ltd is just one of those businesses, and it made about �60m profit on a turnover of about �3500m last year. That's not much to share amongst staff in enhanced benefits when labour costs are a big %age of total costs, unless sales volumes (letters posted) goes up. So maybe your real argument is with the Government - whether the service should be subsided as the rail service still is.
Employment terms - there's a bunch of issues in here that revolve around the ability of the company to pay staff a decent salary package. But central Government is committed to partition off chunks of 'essential public services' and make them stand on their own two feet. And Royal Mail Ltd is just one of those businesses, and it made about �60m profit on a turnover of about �3500m last year. That's not much to share amongst staff in enhanced benefits when labour costs are a big %age of total costs, unless sales volumes (letters posted) goes up. So maybe your real argument is with the Government - whether the service should be subsided as the rail service still is.
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