2007 Royal Mail industrial disputes

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Notice about the postal strike on a pillar box Postbox with notice about strike in 2007.jpg
Notice about the postal strike on a pillar box

The 2007 Royal Mail industrial disputes .

Background

The dispute centred on 'modernisation plans' which Royal Mail said were required to remain competitive, however the CWU believed that these might have led to around 40,000 job losses. [1] Additionally there were disputes surrounding flexible working hours, pay rises and pensions.

Contents

Royal Mail position

Royal Mail claimed that flexibility is vital to the business, and that it was entirely reasonable for employees normally employed in one capacity to cover other roles as required to cope with variations in the work levels in each area. The company was also adamant that increased automation (and fewer employees) were necessary to bring costs under control. The unions were accused of retaining numerous Spanish practices which prevent flexible working. [2]

CWU position

The CWU accused Royal Mail of treating its employees as slaves, and regarded a level of flexibility which would have seen employees doing different jobs on a daily basis as unacceptable.

Government position

The CWU called on the government to "intervene in a positive way". Until early October, the government maintained its stance that this was a matter for Royal Mail and the union to sort out. However, in early October Gordon Brown called on the CWU to reach an agreement on the terms offered, a move that was condemned by the TUC.

Public view

Public opinion was divided, with some strongly in support of the Postal Workers, and others supporting Royal Mail and condemning the disruption caused by the strikes. [3]

Strike dates

Key events

Local issues

Royal Mail response

Royal Mail drafted in managers from non-operational roles to attempt to keep some mail moving through the system, and offered opportunities for those CWU members who wish to work to do so at other offices to avoid conflict with striking colleagues, but the strike still had a major impact on the operation.

See also

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References

  1. "Post union unveils strike details". BBC News. 28 September 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
  2. Hope, Christopher (9 October 2007). "The 'Spanish practices' at heart of dispute". London: Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 October 2007. Retrieved 22 April 2010.
  3. "Have your say responses". BBC News. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
  4. CWU. "Postal Strike Goes Ahead". Archived from the original on 15 July 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2008.
  5. 1 2 "Wildcat strikes plague Royal Mail". BBC News. 10 October 2007. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
  6. "Postal workers back strike action". BBC. 7 June 2007. Archived from the original on 28 June 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2007.
  7. "Vote 'yes' and strike against Royal Mail attacks!". Workers Power. Archived from the original on 6 July 2007. Retrieved 11 June 2007.
  8. "Postal Strikes Suspended". CWU News. Archived from the original on 17 November 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
  9. "Postal Workers March & Rally". Stoke Socialist Party. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
  10. 1 2 "Postal strike row heads to court". BBC News. 13 October 2007. Retrieved 12 October 2007.
  11. "War of words amid postal strike". BBC. 9 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 10 October 2007.
  12. "Injunction outlawing new wave of scheduled strikes". CWU press. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 14 October 2007.
  13. "Royal Mail and union reach deal". BBC News. 13 October 2007. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 15 October 2007.
  14. "Striking Postal Workers Need Your Support". Indymedia. Retrieved 11 October 2007.