Page 4 - Journal dec2017

Progress Made… Pullinger, CWU deputy general secretary (postal) said:
“The union recognise that the mediation process and
But No Final the requirement for confidentiality have been frus-
trating, but in the face of the massive mandate for in-

Agreement Reached. dustrial action and the degree of membership support
the dynamics of the talks have changed markedly and
Following some five weeks of talks, involving external Royal Mail Group’s position has moved significantly.”
mediators, the CWU has issued a positive but equally Terry Pullinger continued: “To be clear, our dispute is
cautious update on the state of negotiations with Royal far from over. At the centre of this long running dispute
Mail. is a basic struggle for our member’s future employ-
Commenting on the past few weeks of talks, Terry ment, income and retirement security and we must
never lose sight of that.
“If an agreement can be achieved on all the issues
involved in the Pillars of Security without the need for
industrial action this will be excellent, however, if the
talks go backwards or we feel management are being
insincere at any stage of the negotiations we will not
hesitate to issue notice.”
With talks ongoing and planned to continue over the
coming weeks, but without external mediators, Terry

legal claim that its Postmaster members be given
CWU Legal Victory On Post Office Pay...
The CWU has achieved a landmark legal victory for ‘workers status’, which would entitle them to paid
members in the Post Office and Supply Chain over the holiday, sick pay and the minimum wage for the hours
issue of imposed monthly pay. they work.
Last year the Post Office moved around 1,200 Andy Furey said: “Just as the Post Office sought to
employees from weekly to monthly pay, without their ignore the union on weekly pay, they have now ignored
consent. But in a test case brought by the union, an our claims in relation to Postmasters—therefore, we
Employment Tribunal has now declared that these will see them in court again.”
employees are still entitled to be paid weekly. New Workwear For Women In Royal Mail
CWU assistant secretary, Andy Furey said: “This is a Trials of new and female specific shirts and footwear
welcomed ruling, and has a much wider significance, are currently underway within Royal Mail.
because this applies to any contractual change for Commenting on these developments, Mark Baulch
everyone, and not just this change from weekly to assistant secretary responsible for uniform matters,
monthly pay for those members.” said: “One of the motions at this year’s annual
Following the ruling, the union has now asked the conference highlighted that Royal Mail footwear is
Post Office to enter into meaningful talks on the how unisex, and therefore instructed the executive to
the ruling will negotiate with Royal Mail to recognise the difference
impact on the between men’s and women’s feet and work towards
1,200 the introduction of gender specific footwear.
employees “Following talks with Royal Mail, several types of
forced on to shoes, boots and trainers—from sizes 2 to 7 inclusive—
monthly pay. are now being tested by female staff and we are
The CWU is looking forward to receiving their feedback and jointly
also making a reviewing the exercise.”

4 \ The Journal