Do Royal Mail and the Government seek to destroy postal union?

Date: 16th October 2009

FROM : Communication Workers Union

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleague

ROYAL MAIL DISPUTE: LEAKED ROYAL MAIL STRATEGY DOCUMENT

Branches will be aware of the media coverage of a leaked Royal Mail internal presentation of the company’s strategy in the current dispute, obtained by the BBC News Night” programme.

We have now seen the document in question. There can be no serious doubt about its authenticity. The document reveals an approach to the dispute, which while worrying and disappointing, comes as little surprise. In essence, the approach is to seek an agreement solely on Royal Mail’s terms. If this cannot be achieved Royal Mail will put in place “a framework for delivery of change without agreement”. This will involve various measures to “actively down dial the role of the Union” including “serve notice on the current Industrial Relations Framework and facilities/release arrangements and substitute the legal minimum”.

This approach – change driven through aggressively solely on Royal Mail’s terms is exactly what we have described throughout the dispute.

Media coverage has focused on the role of the Government. The document assumes “share holders support” for the company’s position but it is not clear how well founded this assumption is. It would be a matter of grave concern if a Labour Government had knowingly brought into a strategy designed to effectively de-Unionise a major publicly owned industry. We will of course be seeking immediate clarification of the Government’s position.

The document clarifies the reasons for Royal Mail’s rejection of the CWU’s offer of mediation. Its strategy sees a referral to mediation only as a last resort if “political will” to support Royal Mail’s aggressive approach of change by imposition evaporates.

Royal Mail does not want to adapt its plans by negotiation with the Union and it is not prepared to have its plans examined by a third party – such is the company’s fear of this option that it sees it only as a last resort if all else fails.
The document is conspicuous in its lack of concern for customer service. The only references to customers are in relation to the political risk of losing support.

The Union’s strategy remains unaffected. We will continue to work to seek change by genuine agreement, which protects the jobs, earnings and working conditions of our members and preserves a real commitment to customer service.

Given that the document is now in public domain, we have attached a copy. We would ask Branches to share the themes within the document with the membership. If anyone did have any doubts about the importance of supporting the union this document should be sufficient to dispel them.

To watch the coverage on BBC Newsnight please click on the following link: http://bbc.co.uk/i/ndtnq/.

Yours sincerely


Billy Hayes Dave Ward
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (P)