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19/08/2009
Postal Strikes Continue In England
Postal strikes are continuing in England this week, with workers on strike in Bristol Yorkshire, the Midlands and the South East of England.
Strikes are taking place in Birmingham, Coventry, London, Essex, Peterborough Bristol and Leeds are today.
The strikes are set to continue for the rest of the week, with planned strikes due to take place in Peterborough delivery office on Thursday; Kings Lynn and Burslem delivery offices on Friday; delivery offices in Boston and Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland on Saturday; and Skegness delivery office in Lincolnshire and Huntingdon delivery office in Huntingdonshire on Monday.
Drivers will also strike in Peterborough on Thursday.
Dave Ward, Communication Workers Union Deputy General Secretary, accused Royal Mail of "rigging the work measurement systems to overload postal workers". He said: "Budgets are cut year on year and delivery rounds are then overloaded to match that budget. These systems were introduced to accurately determine workloads, but Royal Mail are rigging the system to ensure they meet their panic-driven cost cuts.
"The company knows the workload is unacceptable, but are bullying people to attempt to tackle impossible workloads."
Royal Mail has stressed that delivery of A-Level results tomorrow would not be affected by the strikes.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail told the BBC: "We cannot understand why the union is claiming to support modernisation when it's pursuing a policy of actively opposing the changes we need to make to ensure there's a successful future for the business." The spokesperson said that door for talks with the union also remained open.
However, Mr Ward said: "The offer of talks is welcomed, but the company has to have real dialogue. To this point, all they do is lecture us on their plans. In 2007, both parties agreed to negotiate on all aspects of modernisation and Royal mail must return to that approach."
(KMcA/BMcC)
Strikes are taking place in Birmingham, Coventry, London, Essex, Peterborough Bristol and Leeds are today.
The strikes are set to continue for the rest of the week, with planned strikes due to take place in Peterborough delivery office on Thursday; Kings Lynn and Burslem delivery offices on Friday; delivery offices in Boston and Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland on Saturday; and Skegness delivery office in Lincolnshire and Huntingdon delivery office in Huntingdonshire on Monday.
Drivers will also strike in Peterborough on Thursday.
Dave Ward, Communication Workers Union Deputy General Secretary, accused Royal Mail of "rigging the work measurement systems to overload postal workers". He said: "Budgets are cut year on year and delivery rounds are then overloaded to match that budget. These systems were introduced to accurately determine workloads, but Royal Mail are rigging the system to ensure they meet their panic-driven cost cuts.
"The company knows the workload is unacceptable, but are bullying people to attempt to tackle impossible workloads."
Royal Mail has stressed that delivery of A-Level results tomorrow would not be affected by the strikes.
A spokesperson for Royal Mail told the BBC: "We cannot understand why the union is claiming to support modernisation when it's pursuing a policy of actively opposing the changes we need to make to ensure there's a successful future for the business." The spokesperson said that door for talks with the union also remained open.
However, Mr Ward said: "The offer of talks is welcomed, but the company has to have real dialogue. To this point, all they do is lecture us on their plans. In 2007, both parties agreed to negotiate on all aspects of modernisation and Royal mail must return to that approach."
(KMcA/BMcC)
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29 October 2009
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A new series of postal strikes has begun today, after talks between the Royal Mail and the union broke down yesterday. The strikes began this morning at 4am, with 43,700 staff in mail centres, network logistic drivers and garage staff walking out on strike.
Postal Strikes Continue
A new series of postal strikes has begun today, after talks between the Royal Mail and the union broke down yesterday. The strikes began this morning at 4am, with 43,700 staff in mail centres, network logistic drivers and garage staff walking out on strike.
28 October 2009
Further Postal Strikes 'Less Likely'
While more than 30 million items of mail were delayed during last week's strikes, it has emerged today that union leaders are having second thoughts about an escalation. They are to decide today whether or not a new wave of postal strikes will go ahead this week as planned.
Further Postal Strikes 'Less Likely'
While more than 30 million items of mail were delayed during last week's strikes, it has emerged today that union leaders are having second thoughts about an escalation. They are to decide today whether or not a new wave of postal strikes will go ahead this week as planned.
02 February 2009
Sellafield Workers Join Wildcat Strikes
Hundreds of contract workers at a nuclear site have walked out in support of protests over the use of foreign labour. The wildcat strikes, which broke out last week over an oil refinerys use of foreign staff, today continued to spread as around 900 workers at Sellafield and 300 contractors at Heysham walked out.
Sellafield Workers Join Wildcat Strikes
Hundreds of contract workers at a nuclear site have walked out in support of protests over the use of foreign labour. The wildcat strikes, which broke out last week over an oil refinerys use of foreign staff, today continued to spread as around 900 workers at Sellafield and 300 contractors at Heysham walked out.
10 October 2007
Royal Mail Express Concern Over Wildcat Strikes
Royal Mail has said that it is "extremely concerned" about wildcat strikes by postal workers, which are taking place despite the end of the latest official 48-hour strike. Up to 130,000 members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) were due to return to work on Wednesday following the strike.
Royal Mail Express Concern Over Wildcat Strikes
Royal Mail has said that it is "extremely concerned" about wildcat strikes by postal workers, which are taking place despite the end of the latest official 48-hour strike. Up to 130,000 members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) were due to return to work on Wednesday following the strike.
08 October 2009
Vote For UK Mail Strike Questioned
It could be a cold festive season this year as the Christmas post is now in doubt. But while it looks like being seriously affected now that Royal Mail workers have voted for a national strike - management insist that a majority are not in favour.
Vote For UK Mail Strike Questioned
It could be a cold festive season this year as the Christmas post is now in doubt. But while it looks like being seriously affected now that Royal Mail workers have voted for a national strike - management insist that a majority are not in favour.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
