join those striking back against tory austerity

ugust kicked off with 500 CWU postal reps gathering in London to discuss the next steps in the battle over privatisation, workload, pensions and pay. They voted overwhelmingly to ballot the unions 115,000 Royal Mail members no later than September for strikes. This has the potential to be a massive campaign, centred on defending public services as well as workers rights. It is great that CWU leaders are serious about this fight. They outlined a number of key lines in the sand that they pledged not to settle short of. This included saying the union would not agree any pay deal that is linked to pensions, or accept anything short of an above inflation pay deal. It was also announced that if a strike is called the CWU would call the biggest demonstration of postal workers in London for many years on that day. Now every member should get round their workplace and fight to build the biggest YES vote possible. Once the ballot begins, activists can organise meetings where members can bring ballot papers and vote together to launch the campaign. The huge votes in the May/ June consultation show the level of anger and opposition to Royal Mail bosses and the Tories plans. Crucially, these votes revealed the desire amongst post workers for a serious fightback. Weve seen inspiring strikes at Bridgwater delivery office against bullying management and attacks on conditions. The members there have more action lined up (see below).

CWU is set to ballot post workers for national strikes...

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CWU members at Bridgwater delivery office standing strong on the picket lines

The CWU has an opportunity to force the attacks backto stop privatisation, challenge the workload issues and win decent pay and pensions. Since the last national dispute in 2009 was called off, precisely as strikes had Royal Mail bosses on the ropes at Xmas, theres been three years of modernisation changes that have massively increased members workload, and majorly disrupted their working lives.
Royal Mail has used and abused the 2007 Pay & Modernisation agreement and flexibility to bully and harass members in delivery, and the Business Transformation agreement to slash jobs in processing by closing mail centres. At the special policy forum, reps also passed amendments committing union leaders to put any offer to another policy forum/ special conference. If bosses fail to back down after the ballot, it is vital that strike dates are named quickly. Strikes are the most effective way to hit Royal Mail bossses and the Tories. CWU should throw everything at this fight, and look to coordinate with others striking back.

With working people under the cosh youd think Labour would be directing its fire against the Tories. Instead they have been trying to look tough on immigration by raising the issue of Tesco and Next employing Eastern European workers. The problems workers face arent caused by immigration, they are caused by the Tories and employers, who are using the crisis to drive down wages and slash conditions. We need a fightback. On 29 September Unite, GMB and Unison unions, backed by the TUC, have called a mass protest at the Tory conference in Manchester. A big demonstration can give confidence to everyone who wants to see more resistance.

Autumn

Bully

CWU striking post workers in Bridgwater need urgent solidarity. Next strikes are 17 and 19 August, against bullying management. Theyve struck 7 days so far and may be out for a full week in September. Cheques: F.A.O. Dave Chapple, Bridgwater Trades Council, 1 Blake Place, TA6 5AU Messages of support to davechapple@ btinternet.com

This autumn CWU arent the only union poised to move into battle. Hundreds of thousands of teachers plan strikes over pay. Firefighters are also balloting for national strikes and PCS civil service workers are consulting about how to take their unions campaign of industrial action forward. These fights must come together. In November 2011, 2.6 million workers struck to defend pensions. But some union leaders sold a rotten deal and momentum was lost. We cant let that happen again. We need networks of activists in every area to maximise the turnout on the 29 September demonstration, to build solidarity for any workers striking in the autumn, and to fight for deeper resistance in the future. The Unite the Resistance conference on 19 October (left) aims to bring together everyone who wants to see organisation in every workplace and a real fightback from our trade unions. The rich want us to pay for their crisislets get organised to make sure they dont get away with it.

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