Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER Published: 11 October 2007
Postal workers picketing the Kilburn delivery office
‘We won’t back down on pay and pensions’
Postmen say Royal Mail’s actions have forced them to strike
POSTMEN in Camden say they will not back down in their bitter fight with Royal Mail over service cuts, working conditions, pay and pensions.
Speaking to the New Journal, staff working at Kentish Town’s Regis Road sorting office and Hampstead’s Shepherd’s Hill branch say they did not want to strike but have been forced into taking drastic action as managers try to force through unpopular changes.
Lee McDonald, 45, has been a postman for over six years and his beat covers the Malden Road area of Kentish Town. He says he has watched relations between staff and management gradually unravel as workers were faced with having to accept new conditions which they claim affects the service they offer.
Mr McDonald, who starts work at 6am each day, said: “They have accused workers of taking the company back to the bad old days of industrial strife – but they are being Victorian in their attitude towards us. “They have even told us we cannot hold meetings on the premises – it is just so petty and childish.”
He accused managers of using the workforce as scapegoats for their own bad practices and said that recent bonuses paid to area managers had caused deep divisions.
He said: “They bought companies around the world which have folded and cost the Royal Mail. They changed the name to Consignia at vast expense, only to change it back to Royal Mail. They paid £15,000 bonus to area managers. They keep telling us how badly they are doing but they still managed to turn a profit.”
One delivery worker from the Hampstead sorting office did not want his name to be published as he said he was scared of being victimised if he was seen to be speaking out.
The postman, who has worked for Royal Mail for 15 years, said the relations between staff and managers had deteriorated and it was affecting the service they were providing.
His working day starts at 6am. He collects his bags and then starts his rounds, which finish at about 2pm.
He said: “At one time the management would work with us but now it is just a case of being told what to do.”
He said that the main issue for many staff was the imposition of flexible working hours. This would mean staff being made to make up hours through the week if they finish their rounds earlier than expected.
The postman said: “People expect their post early in the day. This means we are rushing around to get the letters out – that is what is expected. “But to make sure our service is good, postmen do not take any breaks, to keep the customer happy. We leave a tea break and lunch hour till the end of the shift to make sure the letters are out as early as possible. “But the managers say if we make good time, they will claw it back. We use our own cars to get the post delivered early. We are basically being penalised for our own hard work.”
He said the answer to making sure the Post Office was competitive was to restore two daily deliveries and keep postmen on the same rounds instead of imposing unpopular reforms.
He said: “This is what people want – an early morning post and then a second post for perhaps less important items. They want to know who is bringing their post, they want to see the same postman each day – it is about service and trust.”
He backed further industrial action.
He said: “Striking is a last resort, but it’s all that is open to us now. I would hate to try and bring up a family on the wages we earn now. Younger staff members are really struggling.”
The Communication Workers Union steward Tony Davies said the strike had solid support.
He said: “Around 97 per cent of the workforce were on strike. They are still very angry and are willing to do more to win this battle.”
He identified the introduction of flexible working hours as one of the key issues that postal workers took exception to.
He said: “People want to know when they are working and how long for – that seems reasonable to me. They want to be able to plan their lives outside of work, and the imposition of flexible hours means they can’t do that.”
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “After negotiations the CWU is refusing to accept the flexibility Royal Mail needs if it is to survive. “We have been talking to the union for seven months on pay, modernisation and pensions, but rather than accept a solution, the union tables unrealistic proposals that fail to deliver the efficiency needed if we are to compete in today’s marketplace.”
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