Collections axed as posties go on strike
POSTAL workers went on indefinite strike today after branding Royal Mail managers a "disgrace."
Customers across Stoke-on-Trent will have to take letters and parcels to a post office to make sure they are delivered on time.
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That is because normal collections will not be taking place in the ST1-6, 8-9 and 11-12 postcode areas for an open-ended period of time.
Employees at Stoke-on-Trent's main sorting office in Leek Road, Stoke, pictured, are furious at plans to close the depot and transfer operations to Wolverhampton.
Union leaders say the proposal will leave just 15 full-time employees at the depot, with the remaining 100 having to accept redundancy or face a 60-mile round trip every day.
Last-ditch talks to prevent the walkout broke down last night.
And this morning Leek Road staff went on strike – with no indication of when they will return.
Communication Workers Union (CWU) divisional representative Mick Kavanagh said: "I met directors and told them we would suspend the action for a period of time if constructive talks were taking place.
"But they refused to budge from their position. I think it is disgusting the way they are treating our members in Stoke and now there is no alternative to the strike action.
"They seem hell-bent on doing what they are doing without any agreement from employees at all.
"The way they are treating members is a disgrace and I would suggest that the people of Stoke-on-Trent should be asking Royal Mail and asking the politicians what is going on.
"This is a really serious dispute now."
The Royal Mail has condemned the industrial action, arguing that change and greater efficiency is needed as mail volumes fall and the organisation feels the effects of modern communication channels and competition.
Mail volumes are falling by around 10 per cent each year, with every one per cent costing about £70 million annually in lost revenue, a spokesman said, while strikes only serve to damage business and leave jobs under greater threat.
She added that the planned Leek Road walkout is "completely at odds with the CWU's repeated claim to support modernisation".
The spokesman said: "We continue to talk with our employees in Stoke and their representatives.
"We have listened to their concerns and worked hard to find solutions that will give the best possible set of options going forward.
"From these discussions we have already increased job opportunities in the Stoke area and reduced the need for our staff to travel outside of the area for work."
Workers have already staged two 24-hour strikes, but today's action is a significant escalation.
Union leaders say employees are prepared to stay out for as long as it takes to win concessions from senior management.
Mr Kavanagh added: "Our members have made the decision to go out on indefinite strike and it is our members who will decide when to go back."
Royal Mail has also revealed plans to close the cash transit office at Leek Road, which employs 15 people.
The CWU says seven workers have been asked to transfer to Sheffield, Chester or Birmingham, with the rest facing the axe.
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29 Comments
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by Annoyed Posty, Stoke
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 9:27PM
“Its got nothing to do with money.Royal Mail arent following there own procedures & are ignoring the Union & are using 'bullboy' tactics to bring in changes. Im sure all the people out there that are slaggin the posties off would welcome such attitudes in their place of work ? I think not ! Do you not get annoyed when you read in the papers that 'fatcat' bosses award themselves massive bonuses each year ? well thats our bosses. Royal Mail make massive profits every year but still say that business is down. They keep using the exscuse 'modernisation' to which there answer seems to be part time jobs & massive job losses.The Postmen/Women do the work that is put in front of them so get your facts right and start pointing the finger to the 'shirt & tie' brigade that pretend to run this company. They are the ones that are killing your delivery service not the Posties !!”
by mark, wolverhampton
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 7:49PM
“I'm not from stoke, but looking at most of the comments on this page, most of you wont be soon because it sounds like theres no pride on your area and anyone who's got any gets ripped apart for standings up for themselves!! Bring it on, we'll have jobs everywhere when everythings moved out of your dead beat,down in the dumps, hell hole by the sound of it!! lol.”
by Dave, Baddeley Green
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 7:24PM
“Wayne of Stoke-on-Trent travels 80 miles a day to reach his place of work, " You go where the work is, " he says. If we all just accept jobs being moved out of Stoke and don't fight to save them, What is the future looking like for our children and this City ? Wayne of Stoke-on-Trent, we won't get back to work until we've done everything we possibly can to save our jobs and do our bit for the future of Stoke.
We don't all just roll over and accept it like you do. Have a bit of pride in this City and help get it back on its feet by supporting us!”
by Luca Gradenigo, Baldwins Gate
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 7:00PM
“No, it's not tantamount to interfering with the mail. You have to physically come into contact with something to interfere with it. And they're not doing that. The mail NOT being interfered with is the problem.”
by Annette, Sandyford
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 6:22PM
“Just a thought, but isnt going on strike tantamount to interfering with the Royal Mail ? Surely they realise that they are not gaining much support from the public / businesses etc.”
by Alan, Burslem
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 6:15PM
“Correct me if I'm wrong but didn't local posties go on strike
not long ago over the sacking of some of their collegues?
Walking out seems to be a way of life with these people.
The sooner management wields the axe on this shower the better...”
by A Reader, Stoke
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 5:59PM
“Even though I will be affected by the strike, I do believe it is a good reason to strike. There are too many job losses already and too many managers keeping their own jobs but removing jobs from ordinary workers. We have lost many factories in this area by work being transferred to other parts of the country and even other countries. Workers have to make a stand. It works in other countries, France especially where the working man is taken notice of. Inconvenience is nothing compared to the damage that will be done if the jobs are moved to Wolverhampton. Keep at it posties; the people of Stoke should be behind you. Only the "I'm alright,Jack, b****r you" brigade will be the moaners and groaners.”
by Bob, Porthill
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 5:36PM
“Anon, how will going on strike get Royal Mail to change their minds exactly? You are only hurting the ordinary man and the businesses in this area - in other words 'making things worse'. I honestly dont see what you hope to achieve.”
by anon, burslem
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 5:00PM
“the workers have gone on strike cos they r tryin to save 100 jobs just for them people who dont no that its not about the money!!”
by jason, at home
Tuesday, August 11 2009, 4:52PM
“Here we go again yet another strike. They are not winning any friends either from the general public or the small business person. There strikes cost small businesses valuable income, and may cost people to face bank charges or complaints from companies if they do not make their payments on time. These people think they are irreplaceable but they are not, its not as if there is no one unemployed at the moment, their jobs are a dime a dozen. The royal mail management does not care what they want or what the customers think. Time to get with the real world folks before you are out of work.”