Remember back to early November 2009? We took two successful national strike days after a big yes vote, the Postal Exec pulled the strike for talks, the Interim Agreement they assured us had strict oversight rules and tight deadlines aiming for a deal by Xmas….
Here we are in mid-February. Deadline after deadline has been broken while the workers have been told nothing. Letters from Roger Poole the ACAS appointed Chair informed us that the talks were continuing while we got nothing from HQ. The PEC disappeared.
The Letters to Branches (LTBs) began to have an odd deja vu feeling to them as the same words “progress… differences… new deadline” kept repeating:
“The interim agreement commits both parties to making significant progress by early December. At a meeting today to review overall progress the PEC has identified the union’s strategic priorities to meet the significant progress criteria.” (18 Nov Dave Ward)
“Progress is being made and agreements are being reached on some issues, or are close to agreement; some topics still have a way to go.” (14 Dec R Poole)
“We have made good progress and many issues are agreed in principle, although there are some important issues still to be agreed. ..so we have allowed ourselves a short extension of the talks …to conclude an agreement by 22 January.” (R Poole, Dec 23)
“It has been agreed to extend talks into next week on the basis of progress made and the recognition of the crucial importance this set of negotiations will have on the future of Royal Mail.” (R Poole, 22 Jan)
“The current position is that whilst there are a few of major issues to finalise, we have made real progress and we want to conclude an agreement very soon and communicate in more detail.” (5 Feb, Dave Ward)
At last, a word from Dave Ward our Deputy General Secretary Postal (remember him?) pops up like a postcard from a long lost relative that’s just been found stuck under a frame. They didn’t even bother to send it out to all the members or even the reps, just an email to the branches to distribute! What have they run out of paper in Wimbledon?
The latest on the sorry saga:
“Talks with Royal Mail were adjourned on Tuesday 9th February…The union is currently awaiting what Royal Mail have described as their final offer on some elements of the package under negotiation. The next meeting under the independent process will take place on Friday 12th February.” (11 Feb, Dave Ward)
The general theme has been “making progress, differences in major areas remain”. Have they really made any progress at all? The only leak we did get from PEC member Pete Keenlyside’s monthly letter wasn’t good, Royal Mail wouldn’t even accept a net 35 hour week (where hours are cut mostly by breaks going unpaid). Other reports are that they are digging in on Saturdays as a normal work day, finishing as late as 4 pm.
That kind of deal is one we can do without! Activists need to get ready to get their branches to reject any deal that steals our weekend after we won it only a few years back. No to closures and a worse public service, for the shorter working week with no loss of pay!
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