TRADE DISPUTE WITH BT plc AND OPENREACH Ltd OVER PAY 2022/23 – NOTICE OF NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL ACTION
We would like to inform Branches that we have served notice today on BT Group that we intend to take further Industrial Action in support of our Trade Dispute with BT plc and Openreach Ltd over pay 2022/23.
The Industrial Action will be for a 48-hour period commencing at 00.01 on Tuesday 30th August 2022 and finishing at 24.00 on Wednesday 31st August 2022.
The action that we took on the 29th July and 1st August 2022 was overwhelmingly supported by CWU members the length and breadth of the UK and there is no doubt that this had a massive impact on the company. The letters we asked our members, friends and family to send to MPs has also had an impact which has been really helpful in our campaign.
We now need to maintain the pressure on the company and therefore we have set these further dates for Industrial Action.
We will be sending further communications to Branches and members next week but in the meanwhile please circulate this information on strike dates to your members.
If you have enquiries please contact the T&FS department via Audrey Brown abrown@cwu.org
POST OFFICE: PAY DISPUTE 2021/22 – OFFICIAL STRIKES
Branches are advised that Post Office is continuing to refuse to move away from its pay freeze position for 2021/22. The Postal Executive has therefore been left with no choice other than to make the decision to serve notice for further action.
Today, the two-week legal notification is being served on Post Office for:
Crown members: Friday 26th & Saturday 27th August
Admin/Supply Chain members: Friday 26th & Tuesday 30th August
Friday 26th August for both Crowns and Admin/Supply Chain coincides with the first Royal Mail strike. We are therefore expecting a show of solidarity across our Postal membership as a whole.
Branches and Representatives are urged to bring the above dates to the attention of our Post Office members and to engage with them to impress the need for unity.
Branches are advised further meetings with Post Office in relation to Pay 2022/23 have recently taken place. As a consequence of not making any progress we have now agreed to refer the matter to Acas with the aim that their involvement will assist both parties in finding a resolution.
The Acas talks are important as we are very conscious of the pressures the rising cost of living is causing to many. The rejected 3% offer is insulting against the backdrop of a pay freeze in 2021/22 and make no mistake Post Office can afford to significantly improve the offer.
CWU will treat the Acas talks scheduled for Thursday 18th Augustvery seriously and we will make every effort possible towards an agreement as we recognise this is what our members want. We also expect Post Office to engage in a responsible way although based on our most recent experience with them at Acas there is some doubt.
Reps and Branches are urged to bring this development to the attention of our Post Office members.
Finally, it is important to note this Acas referral is separate to our legal Trade Dispute for the pay freeze position adopted by Post Office for 2021/22.
The ballot for industrial action over Royal Mails proposed changes to your working terms and conditions closes on Wednesday 17th August. Above is document on the proposed allowances changes. Don’t forget they want to change to annualised hours, change the sick and attendance procedures and change the mtsf agreement. If you haven’t already voted then please vote. If you know anyone who hasn’t voted then please encourage them to do so. Check with your colleagues to ensure they’ve used their vote. Back your union to fight for your rights! 💥👊🏻💥
The Branch will be attending Peterborough Pride if you wish to join us, please contact Andy Beeby, Branch Secretary on 077854 60070 or by email branch.secretary@cwue5.org
COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION 09/08/2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
115,000 POSTIES TO WALK OUT IN BIGGEST STRIKE OF SUMMER
Over 115,000 postal workers will be taking part in the biggest strike of summer so far to demand a “dignified, proper pay rise”.
Today (Tuesday 9th August), the Communication Workers Union – which represents Royal Mail Group workers – have served notice to management that workers will take strike action on Wednesday 24th August, Thursday 25th August and Thursday 8th September.
The decision follows the union’s recent ballot for strike action, which saw members vote by 97.6% on a 77% turnout to take action.
This was the biggest mandate for strike action reached since the implementation of the 2016 Trade Union Act.
The union is demanding that Royal Mail Group make an adequate pay award that covers the current cost of living increases for our members.
However, the management of Royal Mail Group decided to impose a 2% pay rise on its employees through executive action,those same employees who were given key worker status at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In an economic climate where inflation has soared to 11.7%, the imposition would lead to a dramatic reduction in workers’ living standards.
CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: “Nobody takes the decision to strike lightly, but postal workers are being pushed to the brink.
“There can be no doubt that postal workers are completely united in their determination to secure the dignified, proper pay rise they deserve.
“We can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks.
“When Royal Mail bosses are raking in £758 million in profit and shareholders pocketing in excess of £400 million, our members won’t accept pleads of poverty from the company.
“Postal workers won’t meekly accept their living standards being hammered by greedy business leaders who are completely out of touch with modern Britain.
“They are sick of corporate failure getting rewarded again and again.
“The CWU’s message to Royal Mail’s leadership is simple – there will be serious disruption until you get real on pay.”
CWU Deputy General Secretary Terry Pullinger said: “Our members worked miracles during the pandemic and know full well what they are worth.
“The pay offer is an insult to our members and they are willing to fight for a no strings, real-terms pay rise that they are fully entitled to.
“Those managing Royal Mail Group are treating our members with contempt by imposing such a minimal amount.
“Royal Mail Group have failed to recognise the strength of feeling and have clearly lost the dressing room on pay, so they have left us with no choice but to fight.
“Our members deserve a pay rise that rewards their fantastic achievements in keeping the country connected during the pandemic, but also helps them keep up during this current economic crisis.
“We won’t be backing down until we get just that.”
ENDS
For more information or media requests, please contact CWU Press Officer Marcus Barnett on mbarnett@cwu.org or 07812 590450.
CWU Eastern No5 Branch 