Postal workers union leaders in Oxford believe they are being deliberately targeted by Royal Mail management in a bid to force through sweeping changes to the service.
Officials from the Oxfordshire branch of the Communication Workers Union say the dismissal of two workers in the past week is clear evidence that management is trying to "break" the union, not just locally but nationally.
CWU representative Bob Cullen said: "We are the strongest branch in the country and half the management now want to smash it.
advertisement
"What happened to these people was the biggest kangaroo court I have ever seen - and I have been around for a long time.
"Oxford is central to the union and this is an attempt to overthrow us."
In recent months, an increasingly bitter battle has been waged between the CWU nationally and directors of the Royal Mail, with the last round of talks breaking down over a range of proposals covering pay, operational changes and pensions.
Now the CWU believes new tactics are being employed in Oxford in a bid to derail the union and force through the changes which, it is feared, could lead to thousands of job losses across the UK.
But Royal Mail bosses declined to be drawn on the "union bashing" charge. Spokesman Jacquie Stenson said: "We have an agreed conduct procedure relating to all employees, including elected union representatives, and we have followed the procedure correctly in these cases.
"Given that the individuals have the right of appeal under this process, there is nothing to be gained by threatening industrial action and risking more inconvenience for customers."
A fast track ballot for strike action by Oxfordshire postal workers will open on Tuesday, with the result being announced a week later.
The move follows the sacking of postmen Steven Gill and John Doran at the Oxford Mail Centre in Cowley for gross misconduct.
CWU spokesman Sian Jones said notice of any action would be decided on when the vote came in.
If a strike is announced, it will run separately from national strike action, an announcement about which is expected soon.
perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing to smash the union! It seems that the union in oxford are the ones who cause so much hassle for the general public anyway.....
perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing to smash the union! It seems that the union in oxford are the ones who cause so much hassle for the general public anyway.....
Oxford miltitancy is undermining many problems postal workers genuinely face nationally.
If changes are to happen then the role for the union is to negotiate. However in many cases union officers are appointed to post because of who they will vote for -not necessarily the best person for the job -thus keeping high paid officials in a job.
When push comes to shove will a Union hesitate to sacrafice a few lambs in order to save thousands of members contributions ?
Oxford miltitancy is undermining many problems postal workers genuinely face nationally.
If changes are to happen then the role for the union is to negotiate. However in many cases union officers are appointed to post because of who they will vote for -not necessarily the best person for the job -thus keeping high paid officials in a job.
When push comes to shove will a Union hesitate to sacrafice a few lambs in order to save thousands of members contributions ?
Good. About time. These people are not representing their members, only their own selfish interests. The endless strikes make the public angry and the postie's family poor.
Good. About time. These people are not representing their members, only their own selfish interests. The endless strikes make the public angry and the postie's family poor.
These sacked workers have the right of appeal as stated and can ultimately go to an independent tribunal where the process will be scrutinised so it would be very strange if Royal Mail have acted unfairly. In any case there is no need to strike if the sacked men are in the right.
These sacked workers have the right of appeal as stated and can ultimately go to an independent tribunal where the process will be scrutinised so it would be very strange if Royal Mail have acted unfairly. In any case there is no need to strike if the sacked men are in the right.
Posted by: Guy Bailey, Bicester on 10:23am Thu 20 Sep 07
While a strong trade union supporter and member, the strength of a union lies in exercising it's powers responsibly and not crying wolf and causing bother to the public whose support is vital.
The actions of the CWU at Oxford recently has left a lot to be desired and maybe some new brooms at the head and a more conciliatory apporach would win back public support.
While a strong trade union supporter and member, the strength of a union lies in exercising it's powers responsibly and not crying wolf and causing bother to the public whose support is vital.
The actions of the CWU at Oxford recently has left a lot to be desired and maybe some new brooms at the head and a more conciliatory apporach would win back public support.
Employment law and trade union legislation is heavily weighted against the employee.
Oxford CWU should be congratulated for standing up for their stewards.
99% of the time trade unions capitulate to the detriment of their members. Oxford CWU is a rare example of a branch that is prepared to fight.
That is why it is a strong branch.
Every steward should serve an aprentiship at Oxford.
As for the Royal Mail branches like Oxford are the only thing standing between a national subsidised post service and a fragmented expensive privatised mess.
Suddenly people will realise that there is no money to be made delivering medical test results to old age pensioners in blocks of flats and wonder where the cheap effecient service they have been use to all their lives has gone.
Employment law and trade union legislation is heavily weighted against the employee.
Oxford CWU should be congratulated for standing up for their stewards.
99% of the time trade unions capitulate to the detriment of their members. Oxford CWU is a rare example of a branch that is prepared to fight.
That is why it is a strong branch.
Every steward should serve an aprentiship at Oxford.
As for the Royal Mail branches like Oxford are the only thing standing between a national subsidised post service and a fragmented expensive privatised mess.
Suddenly people will realise that there is no money to be made delivering medical test results to old age pensioners in blocks of flats and wonder where the cheap effecient service they have been use to all their lives has gone.
[quote][bold]smithy[/bold] wrote:
perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing to smash the union! It seems that the union in oxford are the ones who cause so much hassle for the general public anyway.....[/quote] While I'm no fan of the union's militancy, that's putting an awful lot of faith in the Post Office managers, faith which I'm afraid I don't have. I'm afraid to say that anyone who thinks things would magically get better if the union just ceased to exist is being hopelessly naïve.
smithy wrote:
perhaps it wouldn't be a bad thing to smash the union! It seems that the union in oxford are the ones who cause so much hassle for the general public anyway.....
While I'm no fan of the union's militancy, that's putting an awful lot of faith in the Post Office managers, faith which I'm afraid I don't have. I'm afraid to say that anyone who thinks things would magically get better if the union just ceased to exist is being hopelessly naïve.
At last a union that is actually prepared to stand up for its members and give managment some stick.
Royal Mail bosses are fat cats, most have two or three other directorships, and all they car about are their bonuses.
Go CWU, Go!
At last a union that is actually prepared to stand up for its members and give managment some stick.
Royal Mail bosses are fat cats, most have two or three other directorships, and all they car about are their bonuses.
Posted by: Ian Sternberg, Harwell on 8:11pm Thu 20 Sep 07
While it is obviously the democratic choice of the Oxford CWU Members to determine whether or not to take Strike Action If I were a Postie I would have advocated taking an immediate walkout straight away .
I should have been made Crystal Clear to Management that sacking Branch Officials on totally spurious charges - and even worse creating a situation with their intimidating & disrespectful behaviour that led to a Union Representative being taken to Hospital with suspected heart problems - will not be tolerated !!!
The Oxfordshire Public should be contacting Management to complain about Their appalling behaviour & to ask Them why They are again trying to provoke Their workforce into taking Strike Action ?
My Comrades & I in the Trade Union Movement will support the Oxford Posties 100% to defend Them from Management Harassssment & Victimisation in Their Struggle to defend Our Royal Mail Services .
While it is obviously the democratic choice of the Oxford CWU Members to determine whether or not to take Strike Action If I were a Postie I would have advocated taking an immediate walkout straight away .
I should have been made Crystal Clear to Management that sacking Branch Officials on totally spurious charges - and even worse creating a situation with their intimidating & disrespectful behaviour that led to a Union Representative being taken to Hospital with suspected heart problems - will not be tolerated !!!
The Oxfordshire Public should be contacting Management to complain about Their appalling behaviour & to ask Them why They are again trying to provoke Their workforce into taking Strike Action ?
My Comrades & I in the Trade Union Movement will support the Oxford Posties 100% to defend Them from Management Harassssment & Victimisation in Their Struggle to defend Our Royal Mail Services .
Posted by: Mick, oxfordish on 7:46pm Fri 21 Sep 07
You should support the union for one very simple fact who do you think has your best interests at heart the people who you vote in or the people at the top who just want make a profit at any cost ,Won't belong till Alan leighton makes us into another ASDA just not dressed in green .
You should support the union for one very simple fact who do you think has your best interests at heart the people who you vote in or the people at the top who just want make a profit at any cost ,Won't belong till Alan leighton makes us into another ASDA just not dressed in green .
Posted by: A friend, Oxford on 12:58am Tue 25 Sep 07
How is the Oxford branch "strong"? I believe infighting and a few strong union backed bullies have been confused with real strength. Strength comes from a feeling of common purpose and good morale. I just don't think this workplace has that.
And the whole notion that if we just scream loudly enough the whole world will change and adjust to our demands is just a childish, silly idea. And now it is too late. The militants have won. They can lay on thier backs very soon.
How is the Oxford branch "strong"? I believe infighting and a few strong union backed bullies have been confused with real strength. Strength comes from a feeling of common purpose and good morale. I just don't think this workplace has that.
And the whole notion that if we just scream loudly enough the whole world will change and adjust to our demands is just a childish, silly idea. And now it is too late. The militants have won. They can lay on thier backs very soon.
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
Print
Email this
Comment
