Is a postal strike really going to work?

Guinness Boy · Sep 13, 2013

I read there may be a Royal Mail strike over privatisation.

I have to say as a supposed lefty I find the idea completely pointless. In fact I'd even welcome a strike. I get my important info via email, my packages delivered by courier and do my banking online. The only mail I get delivered these days is junk mail that goes straight in recycling.

Perhaps the only change for me would be doing party invites & thank yous for my kids on Facebook for a while.

So would a strike really affect you? How relevant is the Royal Mail these days?

Stat Brother · Sep 13, 2013

It'll work as well as the last one and the one before that...

...so no it won't work.

The Merry Prankster · Sep 13, 2013

Guinness Boy said:
I read there may be a Royal Mail strike over privatisation.

I have to say as a supposed lefty I find the idea completely pointless. In fact I'd even welcome a strike. I get my important info via email, my packages delivered by courier and do my banking online. The only mail I get delivered these days is junk mail that goes straight in recycling.

Perhaps the only change for me would be doing party invites & thank yous for my kids on Facebook for a while.

So would a strike really affect you? How relevant is the Royal Mail these days?

Bit of an "I'm alright Jack" attitude for a supposed lefty.

Stumpy Tim · Sep 13, 2013

If I was the post office I would stop the second post. Highly expensive for very little gain

strings · Sep 13, 2013

Stumpy Tim said:
If I was the post office I would stop the second post. Highly expensive for very little gain

I haven't had a second post for years. I honestly didn't know they still did that.

APACHE · Sep 13, 2013

I think the law doesn't allow a strike when privatisation is used as the reason, the ballot is about pay, pension and conditions as the present terms have ended and what has been offered is deamed to be unacceptable by the union.

Guinness Boy · Sep 13, 2013

The Merry Prankster said:
Bit of an "I'm alright Jack" attitude for a supposed lefty.

A strike will only work if it causes more inconvenience to the public at large. This will make my life better.

APACHE said:
I think the law doesn't allow a strike when privatisation is used as the reason, the ballot is about pay, pension and conditions as the present terms have ended and what has been offered is deamed to be unacceptable by the union.

Technically true but make your own mind up http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/sep/12/royal-mail-strikes-privatisation

Stat Brother · Sep 13, 2013

If I was Royal Mail, I'd stop Saturday delivery.

RM haven't employed a full time 39 hour a week member of staff for 8 years.
The redundancies could be carried by cancelling short term contracts.

It's a simple fact for 48 weeks a year we do at most 5 days work over 6 days.

USPS have done this and saved billions of dollars.
While increasing packet deliveries across the entire weekend inc Sundays.

Czechmate · Sep 13, 2013

strings said:
I haven't had a second post for years. I honestly didn't know they still did that.

They don't , the overheads were substantially reduced yet we still paid same prices ?? obviously the government were making the profits look good for privatisation ! Also why would you sell off a profit making business for the government ? obviously it is for short term financial reasons , not thinking long term , sure the top tory MP's have already invested in the new mail company and they must have someone lined up because they are passing it through so quick. Unless someone can tell me different ?

Lord Bracknell · Sep 13, 2013

Anyone remember the 1971 postal strike? It lasted seven weeks. The Union's pay claim was for a 15-20 per cent pay increase. The employers offered 8 per cent. Eventually the strike collapsed and 9 per cent was agreed by the Post Office.

The strike coincided with the introduction of decimal currency and an increase of 44 per cent in the price of a first class stamp.

What i remember about it was being stuck in Italy without any communication from home for two months. Nobody died. Or, if they did, I never got to hear about it.

Stat Brother · Sep 13, 2013

You lot realise the strike will be over privatisation and turning down a 9% pay rise over 3 years.

Blues Rock DJ · Sep 13, 2013

Stumpy Tim said:
If I was the post office I would stop the second post. Highly expensive for very little gain

what's a second post ?

Westdene Seagull · Sep 13, 2013

The strike will achieve diddly squat. That said, if anyone is in support of the privatisation they should go and watch the Dispatches programme on private mail companies on 4OD to see why Royal Mail should stay as it is !

Stumpy Tim · Sep 13, 2013

Looks like they ditched it when I lived in Oz. I'll get back in my box :lolol:

Postman Pat · Sep 13, 2013

Czechmate said:
They don't , the overheads were substantially reduced yet we still paid same prices ?? obviously the government were making the profits look good for privatisation ! Also why would you sell off a profit making business for the government ? obviously it is for short term financial reasons , not thinking long term , sure the top tory MP's have already invested in the new mail company and they must have someone lined up because they are passing it through so quick. Unless someone can tell me different ?

Simple answer - Pension.

I understand there is a massive pension liability within the Post Office. It is a black hole that will be impossible to fill under current terms and conditions. This will make it someone else's problem.

edna krabappel · Sep 13, 2013

Blues Rock DJ said:
what's a second post ?

It's the one just before the Last Post.

edna krabappel · Sep 13, 2013

Realistically, all I'll notice is a drop in the number of Domino's Pizza leaflets & discount vouchers for the local garden centre, so, every cloud...

Goldstone1976 · Sep 13, 2013

Postman Pat said:
Simple answer - Pension.

I understand there is a massive pension liability within the Post Office. It is a black hole that will be impossible to fill under current terms and conditions. This will make it someone else's problem.

Bingo. The pension deficit has been unaffordable and growing for about 8 years. A real poisoned chalice for new shareholders.

Triggaaar · Sep 13, 2013

Guinness Boy said:
Is a postal strike really going to work?

I thought the whole point of a strike was not going to work :shrug:

Czechmate · Sep 13, 2013

Postman Pat said:
Simple answer - Pension.

I understand there is a massive pension liability within the Post Office. It is a black hole that will be impossible to fill under current terms and conditions. This will make it someone else's problem.

Thanks for the explanation , I can see price hikes in the near future then

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