Royal Mail bosses fear our action...

www.socialistworker.co.uk

WE CAN WIN MORE: LETS GET THE STRIKES BACK ON

R
OYAL MAIL BOSSES HAVE brought an offer to the table they fear the power of strikes. After a national reps meeting on Monday, the details are still unclear. Some in the union are questioning if it was right to call off the action. The LTB from headquarters states theres been movement on a number of key issues. CWU leaders report an improved pay offer, a seperate pensions agreement and that bosses have shifted on legal protections, offering more than three years. Its important to recognise that this is progress. But with membersand even repsleft in the dark about the details, its hard to see there was enough to justify pulling the action. Crucially, if details arent announced until 13 November, when talks conclude, members wont be able to discuss the offer in time to recall strikes, if deemed necessary, without a re-ballot. The danger is momemtum is drained at a key moment when we can win more. What is clear is that Royal Mail bosses would rather concede a little now and get the strikes pulled, than let them go ahead and be forced to give more ground.

CWU members voted overwhelmingly for strikes, and that any offer must be put to a special conference

Arsenal

Suspending action was a mistake, striking is the most effective weapon in our arsenal. Thats why Moya Greene is so keen on getting a no strike deal. Anything that bosses offer now can be reversed later if we remove our ability to strike back. Many members worry about the phrase in the LTB, industrial stability supported by alternative dispute resolution processes, and what this really means. Given whats at stake in this dispute and whats to come under privatisation, it would be wrong to throw in the towel without a serious fight. Flexing our industrial muscle to keep up pressure on Labour to re-nationalise is important. The attacks on conditions are intrinsically linked to privatisation. The bosses are under extreme pressure. Big parcel companies using Royal Mail threatened to withdraw Christmas contracts if the dispute wasnt resolved. CWU should be using this leverage to its advantage and strike for more than whats on the table now. It is possible to win more.

Lets not forget our huge vote in the ballot. It should have given our leaders confidence that members are up for a serious fight on pay, pensions and workload and are enraged by the privatisation. It would be a massive boost for members to get onto picket lines together and feel our collective strength. We are not fighting alone. Before our action was called off, we were set to strike alongside firefighters taking on attacks on the fire service and pensions. When FBU leaders called off a strike planned for 19 October, activists successfully put pressure to get the action back on, and escalate. Postal workers can do the same and push our union leaders to put our strikes back on and fight for more.

Workers must stomach a three year no strike agreement, a pay freeze, attacks on pensions and the removal of full time Unite officials from the site. But our unions are not powerless, they can win if they use all their power. Strong unions threaten the bosses ability raking in profits at workers expense.

Blink

Stomach

The unions have the strength to take the Tories onand members are clearly willing to fight back. Many shuddered at the events at Grangemouth oil refinery. Unite leaders accepted a catastrophic assault after bosses threatened to shut down the plant.

The lessonthe stakes for workers are high and our union must not blink first. Now its time to show the employers our strength, not to back off at the first offer. What we can win will be shaped by the strength of the strikes. Strikes can win more than anything Royal Mail is offering now. In September, reps voted to ensure that any offer is put to a special conference so members can discuss it before momentum is lost. This is vital. Now members should let union leaders know they are ready to strike to win more. CWU should recall the strikes, escalate to win and link with others to beat back the Tories together.

CWU POST after rally 061113