The Secret Striking Postie!

None of us would have envisaged that this strike has not been settled already. The Royal Mail Group seem extremely reluctant to agree a date when they and us, the CWU (Communication Workers Union), can embark on talks around a table and resolve this dispute.
It has now exploded from a lightweight contest and into a heavyweight battle. This is a bout that we however are determined to achieve victory and receive the pay rise we so richly deserve. It is requisite that we unite as posties and vital we do not throw in the towel at any given moment in this fight.
We have already inflicted painful wounds upon the Royal Mail Group especially their CEO Simon Thompson. Every time we descend upon our picket line with our posters and banners endeavouring to ignite more support from the public the company leaks millions of pounds. Far more blood needs to be drawn before this war is finished and hopefully it will be the oppositions.
Dave Ward, CWU’s general secretary, expressed in relation to something that Thompson expressed was, ‘The chief executive of Royal Mail Group is treating postal workers as if they are stupid. These are the same people that have kept the country connected and returned Royal Mail Group to record profit.’ £758 million, apparently, to be exact. We are the ones that kept this company, alone, afloat during the pandemic and all we are pleading for is extra money – acknowledging the cost of living nowadays. Surely, they cannot negate us this.
In addition, Royal Mail Group have stepped behind the CWU’s back and have adjusted the ‘Pathway to Change’ document without even consulting them. This is something that was jointly signed by Thompson and the CWU’s Terry Pullinger. They are now requiring us to commence work 3 hours later in the day which is unbelievably evil. This means that, at times, we would be carrying out our chores in the pitch black and bitter cold during certain periods of the year. Furthermore, many of us would need to totally re-construct our daily activities. Especially those amongst us with young families.
It is incongruous of Royal Mail Group bringing in agency staff to help in repairing some of the damage we have caused. For us this has aroused upsetting feelings in our party. The company can splash out on introducing outsiders but on the other hand they are refusing our own wishes.
I am unaware of the exact estimates although I am reliably informed that Thompson, alone, earns £60, 000 a month, please correct me if I am wrong. The Royal Mail Group’s board must be on a colossal wage included. We must also not forget that the shareholders are awarded benefits and kept sweet when money is concerned. In contrast all we receive are the coppers. We are hugely worth a great deal more than this.
Following the recent statement Thompson sent out where he threatened a vast number of redundancies to scare us and rock our boat, he added propaganda in his message. He stated that ‘Royal Mail is a fantastic company and we can have a bright future. But only if we change. That is the only way we can deliver more for our customers, grow our business, and provide long-term job security.’ I am sure a large majority of us do have affections for Royal Mail but only if the CWU have a massive input. After all they are a voice for us as posties.
We all need to remain buoyant in our pursuit and remind ourselves the finish line we are aiming for. We are doing this for the ones we love and our own customers who we have a close relationship with.
Has society returned to the Victorian era as our endeavours revert me back to the scene in Charles Dickens novel, ‘Oliver Twist,’ when it is scripted –
Oliver – ‘Please, sir, I want some more’
Mr Bumble – ‘What’
Oliver – ‘Please, sir, I want some more’
Mr Bumble – ‘More’
To add slightly more the elderly men witnessing this scene have connotations with the Royal Mail board and Mr Bumble being Simon Thompson.
Is more money too much to plead Royal Mail for!