Body & Soul3 mins ago
Postal strikes - a few things the public don't know
Because of space limitations, this will have to be on two or more posts.
As you can probably gather from my screen name I am a postman, and have been for the last 18years. Oddly enough, when I started, they not only made bags of money for themselves, they also did so for the government, and so did we as postmen - I actually earned more in 1996 than I do now! The service was better too, because it was treated as a service and most had pride in the job. I've made this post so that the public may have a better idea of what is going on about the reason for the strikes.
Now I realise that for people waiting for stuff the strike is very inconvenient, and for that we are sorry. However, over the last five years or so to us in the know the postal service has been run down and down, and it's getting worse. This is just my opinion but I reckon the government is also behind that in some way - they certainly do little to improve it, and seem content to just let the decline continue. I suspect the same regarding Post Office closures, as they are also part of the business. Given Gordon Browns comments about we should go back to work, I for one will be withdrawing the political levy from my union fees, and I daresay I won't be alone � perhaps they should remember where a large part of their political fund comes from.
Anyway, this dispute is also about pensions and salary (our pension fund has had serious mismanagement for many years, making it worth less than it should, and we have not had a pay increase for nearly two years). However, it is fundamentally about changes management is determined to impose, changes which will have serious repercussions on the ordinary employees and the service. In a nutshell that could be 40,000 job losses and a job no better than being a slave at their master's beck and call for those left.
As you can probably gather from my screen name I am a postman, and have been for the last 18years. Oddly enough, when I started, they not only made bags of money for themselves, they also did so for the government, and so did we as postmen - I actually earned more in 1996 than I do now! The service was better too, because it was treated as a service and most had pride in the job. I've made this post so that the public may have a better idea of what is going on about the reason for the strikes.
Now I realise that for people waiting for stuff the strike is very inconvenient, and for that we are sorry. However, over the last five years or so to us in the know the postal service has been run down and down, and it's getting worse. This is just my opinion but I reckon the government is also behind that in some way - they certainly do little to improve it, and seem content to just let the decline continue. I suspect the same regarding Post Office closures, as they are also part of the business. Given Gordon Browns comments about we should go back to work, I for one will be withdrawing the political levy from my union fees, and I daresay I won't be alone � perhaps they should remember where a large part of their political fund comes from.
Anyway, this dispute is also about pensions and salary (our pension fund has had serious mismanagement for many years, making it worth less than it should, and we have not had a pay increase for nearly two years). However, it is fundamentally about changes management is determined to impose, changes which will have serious repercussions on the ordinary employees and the service. In a nutshell that could be 40,000 job losses and a job no better than being a slave at their master's beck and call for those left.
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One of the reasons they say they need to make these changes is because of so called competition. However this competition is not on a level playing field with us, as say, two high street shops selling similar goods. For one thing, the general public cannot benefit from this competition in any way - if anything; it is actually detrimental to the public use. The "competition" is other firms who cherry pick big business mailings, and undercut us (notice the DHL and TNT logo on some of your mail) at the sending stage, but then put it back into the Royal Mail system for us to deliver. Under Ofcom regulations, they can do this, and at a set low price, and one end result is an overall increase in what we have to take out (more junk for you!), plus delay to ordinary post you send. It also means that Royal Mail does not get the income it should get to plough back into investment and upkeep. It's a bit like Sainsbury's using their shelf space to sell Tesco beans, and what business would be stupid enough to do that?
Over the years the union has secured various rights and privileges, and these have gradually been eroded. For instance, we used to get paid extra for working Saturday or at night, and now we don�t. It all amounts to lost income. Starting this week, we are losing our early shift allowance because they are changing our working times to start an hour later. This is supposedly due to some EU regulation about van and lorry speeds, but the end result is we lose more money, and you, the public get your mail even later than when they went over to one delivery. Some won�t get a delivery at all because they live in time locked premises, but this does not bother senior management.
Over the years the union has secured various rights and privileges, and these have gradually been eroded. For instance, we used to get paid extra for working Saturday or at night, and now we don�t. It all amounts to lost income. Starting this week, we are losing our early shift allowance because they are changing our working times to start an hour later. This is supposedly due to some EU regulation about van and lorry speeds, but the end result is we lose more money, and you, the public get your mail even later than when they went over to one delivery. Some won�t get a delivery at all because they live in time locked premises, but this does not bother senior management.
By far the most serious thing though is how they want to pay us. They want to do away with overtime, which needs to be done sometimes, and overtime covering absence duties etc is necessary for many postmen. Many have learned not to rely on it, but equally as many have to in order to survive, put a roof over their heads, that sort of thing.
RM management seems to think we do not actually work the hours we are paid for and want us to work on an annually banked hour�s basis. This means we work a set number of hours over a year, no more, no less. They also want to do away with seniority and working at a set place, as of now. At present, I do one walk, and I know my public � in short I know if something is addressed wrong, and can rectify that, and at Christmas especially, that knowledge is needed.
Under the proposed changes, I can not only go in, and be put on any delivery; I can even be moved to any office within the area, maybe 50 miles away. Nor will there be a set working day, as I could go in and be told I would be expected to work for ten hours (with no extra pay) or go in and told I will not be required after all because I have used my quota of hours or they want me to save what hours I do have for when they will be needed. Just ask yourself, would you like to work like that?
RM management seems to think we do not actually work the hours we are paid for and want us to work on an annually banked hour�s basis. This means we work a set number of hours over a year, no more, no less. They also want to do away with seniority and working at a set place, as of now. At present, I do one walk, and I know my public � in short I know if something is addressed wrong, and can rectify that, and at Christmas especially, that knowledge is needed.
Under the proposed changes, I can not only go in, and be put on any delivery; I can even be moved to any office within the area, maybe 50 miles away. Nor will there be a set working day, as I could go in and be told I would be expected to work for ten hours (with no extra pay) or go in and told I will not be required after all because I have used my quota of hours or they want me to save what hours I do have for when they will be needed. Just ask yourself, would you like to work like that?
Oh, and deliveries will be twice as long � great considering I am already going out with seven bags a day now and going home knackered as it is. Yes, some postmen make time out of it, but they do so by cutting corners here and there, using private cars etc. The thing is, that way everybody is happy � the post gets delivered. If we did the job properly, chances are bits wouldn�t be. Mind you, it has also been suggested that postmen be done away with altogether and that you, the public; collect your mail from a local shop, so maybe that won�t be a problem for long.
To sum up, aside from our jobs, we are just trying to protect the postal service you know. It may not be perfect, but it�s better than the alternatives. Just consider this, how often do you see a milkman these days�..
To sum up, aside from our jobs, we are just trying to protect the postal service you know. It may not be perfect, but it�s better than the alternatives. Just consider this, how often do you see a milkman these days�..
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Ok firstly I think you're brave to put this out and I appreciate your side of the coin.
I'd like to say that I work from home mostly and have had some difficulty in getting things done due to the strike, but to be honest, I have put up with it and haven't got myself in a big old mess over it! So I'm not too worried about that. Although I must say that there are some people very anxious at the moment for letters that have important information/documents/results etc.... (but you know that though!)
Well I come from Wales and having a family that come from Mining backgrounds I suppose I can sympathise with the need to strike to enforce change and to that degree I can understand that if all other avenues have been exhausted, this was the option most likely to DO something!
What I will say is that I hope this doesn't mean that all industries feel this is the only option, and I'm saddened that you feel this was the only measure to take!
I DO hope it works as it will not have been in vein and I DO hope pentions are sorted out at the least as we all know how important it is!
I'd like to say that I work from home mostly and have had some difficulty in getting things done due to the strike, but to be honest, I have put up with it and haven't got myself in a big old mess over it! So I'm not too worried about that. Although I must say that there are some people very anxious at the moment for letters that have important information/documents/results etc.... (but you know that though!)
Well I come from Wales and having a family that come from Mining backgrounds I suppose I can sympathise with the need to strike to enforce change and to that degree I can understand that if all other avenues have been exhausted, this was the option most likely to DO something!
What I will say is that I hope this doesn't mean that all industries feel this is the only option, and I'm saddened that you feel this was the only measure to take!
I DO hope it works as it will not have been in vein and I DO hope pentions are sorted out at the least as we all know how important it is!
As someone who runs a small business from home (among other things!) I depend completely on the post. I can see why you feel the need to strike, but ultimately I can't help but feel that you and us ordinary folks will lose out, as big businesses will just take their custom elsewhere (like Amazon did after the last strike). This means less work and less jobs for you, and a worse postal service for ordinary people...
What can I do about my mail constantly being delivered to another address (same road name, different postcode) for the last 12 years?
It is pi$$ing me off that the postman can't read ~ and that postcodes are obviously not as important as the public are always informed! I am pleased you are more vigilant, postdog..and that private couriers never have the same trouble.
I don't think you are alone, though. My ex husband (an engineer) is suffering the same pay and pension troubles, as is Mr P (a builder). They can't strike...and Mr P has to deal with competition far more fierce than yours.
It is pi$$ing me off that the postman can't read ~ and that postcodes are obviously not as important as the public are always informed! I am pleased you are more vigilant, postdog..and that private couriers never have the same trouble.
I don't think you are alone, though. My ex husband (an engineer) is suffering the same pay and pension troubles, as is Mr P (a builder). They can't strike...and Mr P has to deal with competition far more fierce than yours.
People are under a misconception if they think "another business" will come in a do the job of the post office.
Does anyone think that ANY company will charge 30 odd pence to deliver something to your door?
Or sending a small package for �2.00
If anyone did do it you would end up having to travel to a local depot once a week to pick it up.
Competitors want the rich pickings i.e business post but everyday post no-one wants.
Does anyone think that ANY company will charge 30 odd pence to deliver something to your door?
Or sending a small package for �2.00
If anyone did do it you would end up having to travel to a local depot once a week to pick it up.
Competitors want the rich pickings i.e business post but everyday post no-one wants.
spaced/fairkatrina
Are you happy for people to work for worse and worse and worse conditions?
Okay - say if people who are treated badly by management aren't allowed to strike, but instead 'should go look for alternative employment'....who do you think will take up their posts?
Highly skilled motivated people?
Doubtful
I totally support this strike. Yeah, I'm affected, but I'd rather have a few days inconvenience than know that there are people out there who are being screwed by lazy, ineffectual management without recourse to action.
Are you happy for people to work for worse and worse and worse conditions?
Okay - say if people who are treated badly by management aren't allowed to strike, but instead 'should go look for alternative employment'....who do you think will take up their posts?
Highly skilled motivated people?
Doubtful
I totally support this strike. Yeah, I'm affected, but I'd rather have a few days inconvenience than know that there are people out there who are being screwed by lazy, ineffectual management without recourse to action.
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I have some sympathy but there are many people in jobs worse off than postmen and women. I know someone who works in a large supermarket on the minimum wage. If he does a night shift or overtime, he only gets basic pay. Due to his low wage, he gets working tax credits which helps but he still struggles paying full rent etc. If he wants to do overtime he can do but what he earns comes off his tax credits so there's no point - he can never earn more than his basic minimum wage salary. He starts at 4am and does shift work. If he were to strike, what would happen? Nothing.
As I said, I have some sympathy but not much.
As I said, I have some sympathy but not much.
Monty raises a good point but if I take a job on and my contract says these are the hours this is the pay this is what you do then after a month I cant complain that I dont earn enough or the hours are too long.
If my employer says originally u signed up x hours and now you have to do y hours that is where the problem lies
If my employer says originally u signed up x hours and now you have to do y hours that is where the problem lies
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