The CWU union has issued what it calls a corrective to ‘misleading and untrue’ statements it says Royal Mail has been making ahead of tomorrow’s strike by 115,000 postal workers – and calling on ‘all journalists reporting on the dispute’ to do their job and report properly on the fight for decent pay and conditions. Royal Mail’s propaganda has so far been largely either ignored or parroted by the so-called ‘mainstream’ media.
The release, which asks why Royal Mail is paying out huge dividends along with bonuses to senior management if the company’s claims are true and flatly calls the management’s claims about what the company is offering workers ‘a lie’, reads:
In recent weeks, Royal Mail Group have put out several misleading and untrue statements about the current dispute with the Communication Workers Union (CWU).
We have taken the time to correct these issues in this document and ask all journalists to use this statement when questioning the employer and covering the strikes.
Royal Mail Group finances
We are now told the company are losing £1m a day. This is against a backdrop of making record profits of £758m just a few months ago. If this situation is to be believed, then surely the first port of call must be to question the future of the company’s leadership who have overseen such a dramatic downturn in fortunes. This is their strategy.
In addition to this, if Royal Mail Group knew we were heading into a loss-making situation, how can they justify paying over £400m to shareholders and in excess of £2m in executive bonuses?
We would also ask why, the Royal Mail refused to meet the CWU in February when our pay claim was submitted, and at which point the rate of inflation was much lower. This is another example of mismanagement.
Royal Mail have offered 5.5% to CWU members
This is a lie. In fact, Royal Mail Group have not offered anything. They have imposed a 2% rise on workers without the agreement of the union.
Separately, they have offered 1.5% but that is strictly conditional on postal workers agreeing changes which would rip up their terms and conditions.
Finally, they have suggested a £500 lump sum could be paid in 2023 but have no clear view on the criteria for that.
We urge you to make it absolutely clear this pay offer is the imposition of 2% and nothing else.
Competition
Royal Mail Group claim this is about being able to compete with the competition. This is untrue. What it is about is a race to the bottom on terms and conditions, including pay.
It is also worth highlighting the hypocrisy of them taking this position whilst at the very same time handing Parcelforce work over to EVRI well in advance of strike action. They are literally handing work over to the competition rather than focussing on resolving our dispute.
Meetings with Royal Mail Group
Royal Mail Group are falsely claiming the CWU are unwilling to meet them. We have met them on dozens of occasions. It is clear the negotiators in the room do not have the authority to reach an agreement.
It is on this basis that the CWU have called for a summit meeting with the Chair and CEO of Royal Mail Group and the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary (Postal) of the CWU. Royal Mail have refused this meeting.
Royal Mail claim this is because the Chair is not involved in the day to day running of the company. This is in direct contradiction to the fact the Chair is one of the signatories of our most recent national agreement, spoke at the Royal Mail AGM and has been undertaking multiple media interviews.
Indeed, the role specification of the Chair states they are:
‘Responsible for the leadership and management of the Board and for promoting high ethical and governance standards’
‘Ensures that the Board determines the nature and extent of the significant risks that the Group is willing to accept in implementing its strategy.’
The CWU are more than willing to meet Royal Mail Group to resolve this dispute, but the right people must be in the room. Any responsible employer would pick up on that request.
Skwawkbox is more than happy to put the facts on the record and offers solidarity to postal and all other workers fighting for their pay, terms and conditions and against exploitation.
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