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Mandelson brands CWU strike action a 'suicidal act' for mail industry

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has condemned strike action by Royal Mail CWU members as a "suicidal act" that "defies logic" and one that could turn customers away from the mail medium.

The workers union has issued Royal Mail an ultimatum that strikes could begin as early as next Thursday (22 October), if an agreement cannot be reached.

In an open letter to Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson, the CWU's Dave Ward made a "fresh offer" to avoid the planned strikes, with the union set to serve the relevant seven day notice to announce the action on 15 October.

However, Mandelson said that a national postal strike "defies logic" and was a move that would help to turn both consumers and businesses away from using mail.

He said: "The government has backed Royal Mail financially with billions of pounds so that the company can modernise, but these strikes will impede that essential process.

"We remain in close contact with the union and Royal Mail management and our message is clear – strikes are not the way to resolve differences or safeguard the future of our postal services."

Comments

The Mighty Wind - 13 October 2009

A 13 year pension contribution holiday by the GOV

Part privatisation [which required the pension deficit to be funded by the GOV] is also not the answer

Paying bonuses whilst making employees redundant?

Rushing through EU legislation that wrecked the profitable areas of the business but left "universal service" within the rump?

The new competition is more expensive than the previous services?

Lets have some honest debate about a long term future.........beyond any individual parliament

Ivor Binder - 13 October 2009

Sounds like Mandy has been reading the other stories and posts on here. Perhaps if he checks in again he'll see this gentle request. PO! xxx

The Voice of Reason - 13 October 2009

Wind

I would be happy to help you run the country without the constraints of a Parliament, much could be achieved!

tolpuddle martyrs - 13 October 2009

Although the Royal Mail is officially & technically NOT a privitised company, the Bill to do so was postponed in june of this year due to the current recession. But that must mean somewhere along the accountability thread will wind direct back to Mandy's own government. Lets waste a few million quid, "Yeah" we will call it "Consignia" change all the livery no-one will guess it's the same old uninvested poorly managed post office. Oh Dear they did suss that one out pretty quick. No worries we will spend a few more million and change it back!! Brilliant " Yeah sounds great ". Hold on who will we blame. "Easy the Unions everyones doing it, you know the seventies Scargill, dinasours and all that." "Oh please stop My guts ache for Laughing!!!. Funny I think not.

But its working people who are suffering and losing jobs solely down to the government and useless management . Yes the Unions have desperately tried to embrace change to no avail.All the decisions made at the very top have now failed so its the same old Trade Unions that have failed. Give me a break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mr positive - 13 October 2009

In this area the postmen get picked up by the company and driven into work every day as a perk.

Idiots, turkeys voting for xmas.

Gone with the wind - 13 October 2009

 

Moaner Lisa - 13 October 2009

Talk about jumpin on de flamin bandwagon, when is mister Mandleson \(me sorry, me'll never see 'im as de Lord - bit like 'queen Camilla') gonna turn up'ere wiv a pseunothingynym an join in - 'e might learn summat useful, dats wot I's sayin!

Data, stop takin' de p*ss wiv dese cartoonified graphicalisms, fer instnce I've bin tryin t'persuade blokes fer years to do dat an failed miserable like, got me nowheres, absolutely nowwheres

Happy huntin', Mo \(job 'untin dat is by de way, 'n case it dint make no sense)

The Mighty Wind - 13 October 2009

[quote user="The Voice of Reason"]

Wind

I would be happy to help you run the country without the constraints of a Parliament, much could be achieved!

[/quote] 

Aah the voice of reason carried by the wind...............I like it, got to get more votes than UKIP

The Mighty Wind - 13 October 2009

[quote user="miss print"]In this area the postmen get picked up by the company and driven into work every day as a perk.[/quote] 

yes they do in this area as well...........it is called a bicycle

mr positive - 13 October 2009

reply now for the 1000....

The Mighty Wind - 13 October 2009

[quote user="miss print"]

reply now for the 1000....

[/quote] 

Ah now the leader of a tumen

Gone with the wind - 13 October 2009

 

Nigel Cliffe - 14 October 2009

My son made an on-line purchase last night, came to choosing delivery method \(free with the purchase) options provided, RoyalMail or DHL? No betting which got it. Its as simple as that - millions of people now have choice - this situation is so dumb, on everyone's part.....

Edna Bag - 14 October 2009

[quote user="Nigel Cliffe"]

My son made an on-line purchase last night, came to choosing delivery method \(free with the purchase) options provided, RoyalMail or DHL? No betting which got it. Its as simple as that - millions of people now have choice - this situation is so dumb, on everyone's part.....

[/quote]Do wonders for carrier pigeons breeders

Edna Bag - 14 October 2009

[quote user="Nigel Cliffe"]

My son made an on-line purchase last night, came to choosing delivery method \(free with the purchase) options provided, RoyalMail or DHL? No betting which got it. Its as simple as that - millions of people now have choice - this situation is so dumb, on everyone's part.....

[/quote]Do wonders for carrier pigeons breeders

Worried, again - 14 October 2009

Hurrah, bold Sir Mandelbrot enters the fray, we must all be saved now from the terrors of a life without the Royal Mail. The comments made are unhelpful and as he's a professor of hindsight, you would think something better considered may be said, alas not. So, what happens now? Are we going to have the same posturing that came about with the miners' strikes of the 80s? Will there be a "Union of Democratic Posties"? Mangle-it did say something worthwhile - "... strikes are not the way to resolve differences or safeguard the future ..." - so why have the government not intervened earlier? Because they can't and don't know what to do, so they pass the blame off. They should stick to what they know best - procrastination and re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic!

Moaner Lisa - 14 October 2009

W'd dat be de same Lord Mandlebrot wot strutted 'is stuff in de late 1900's, laid waste to a blinkin' go0od sized wedge of British hindustry, invented de totally disaserous Millenium Dome, an' de totally crappy but bloomin hexpensive fireworks wot went wiv it, costin' de taxpayers a large fortune, neerly closed de Post Hoffices an' severely damaged de Royal Male, an' basically was not good, got kicked out of party and country wiv everyone booin' and cussin im, an' did is penance on de Yourapeeing crusades, 'andin out wot bits of de heconomy wot woz left to all the yourapeein's, before bein welcomed back wiv de open arms of de Chairman Brown Regime a little while back, returnin' to hoffice wivout ennnnybody votin' for 'im, everyone pertendin' nuffink ever 'appenned, to return to de jobs wot e'left unfinished nine years ago .....

.....you mean DAT Lord Mandlebrot?

The Mighty Wind - 14 October 2009

[quote user="Moaner Elizabeth"]

W'd dat be de same Lord Mandlebrot wot strutted 'is stuff in de late 1900's, laid waste to a blinkin' go0od sized wedge of British hindustry, invented de totally disaserous Millenium Dome, an' de totally crappy but bloomin hexpensive fireworks wot went wiv it, costin' de taxpayers a large fortune, neerly closed de Post Hoffices an' severely damaged de Royal Male, an' basically was not good, got kicked out of party and country wiv everyone booin' and cussin im, an' did is penance on de Yourapeeing crusades, 'andin out wot bits of de heconomy wot woz left to all the yourapeein's, before bein welcomed back wiv de open arms of de Chairman Brown Regime a little while back, returnin' to hoffice wivout ennnnybody votin' for 'im, everyone pertendin' nuffink ever 'appenned, to return to de jobs wot e'left unfinished nine years ago .....

.....you mean DAT Lord Mandlebrot?

[/quote] 

now thats quality

'Not A Doctor' (NDCT) - 14 October 2009

[quote user="The Mighty wind"]now thats quality[/quote]

Can I propose that we get that put onto a scroll to be read out just before they are all paraded up onto the scaffold.......?

Worried, again - 14 October 2009

[quote user="Moaner Elizabeth"].....you mean DAT Lord Mandlebrot?[/quote]

Sadly, yes.  Unless there is someone else masquerading as this sorry character.  What am I saying?  He's not sorry at all, he's a "Lord" after all.  So, bow, scrape, doff your caps, tug the forelock, etc.  We common types may yet hear some words of wisdom from those who really should know better.

Frankly, I remain somewhat disenchanted with the words of wisdom thus far.  Action is needed and in similar earlier posts, there was talk of a locked room and people not being allowed out of it.  The damage has already begun.  Even the whiff of a strike and the mention that one may happen is enough to start the switches flicking to off.  Although it won't immediately affect those who aren't involved in mail work, we'll all feel the pinch as even more hungry suppliers start chasing jobs that wouldn't really be their core type of work.

Well done to all those involved in this sorry tale.  Words, including my own, cannot sort this out, decisive action is needed.  Those who have been appointed on our behalf to make a GOOD JOB of things should start taking action, instead of preparing their "it's them, nothing to do with us" speeches.  Are they listening?

The Mighty Wind - 14 October 2009

Adam Crozier employed Sven Goran Ericsson as England manager............surely enough said

Edna Bag - 14 October 2009

[quote user="The Mighty wind"]

Adam Crozier employed Sven Goran Ericsson as England manager............surely enough said

[/quote]Really jeez, may as well drop the trousers stick yer ar5e in the air and pray for it to rain cash. Sven is crap at Cricket;-)

Stanley Dingtype - 15 October 2009

Rumour has it not that long ago as a certain well known Doctor was out selling peerages to high profile individuals who needed their public images sorting out ........

You don't need skills or votes if you can pay your way in our little pond. Quack.

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Mandelson: strike 'defies logic'

Mandelson: strike 'defies logic'

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