Postal Strikes

Discussion in 'The Lounge - Off Topic' started by Fergal1982, Oct 11, 2007.

  1. Fergal1982

    Fergal1982 Petabyte Poster

    4,196
    172
    211
    Ok, I was pretty pissed off about the Postal Strikes of the last week or so. In my mind they have been striking far too often of late. I dont mind the odd strike here and there, but in the last few months they have taken strike action on numerous occassions.

    And now, to make matters worse, They have announced more strike action on the 15th - 19th of October.

    And even worse, I've been waiting for two parcels since before the first set last week. Trying to arrange redelivery tonight, they wont arrange it because of the strikes beginning on monday. Despite the fact that I want it on Saturday.

    Now, maybe Im being extreme here, but as far as Im concerned, this is akin to an act of terrorism. This is affecting the ability of our entire country to actually function. Mailorder companies using royal mail cant send their items. People waiting on cheques arent going to receive them, etc.

    Its about bloody time the government stepped in and put and end to this sh*te. Im getting mighty sick of it and, as a colleague so aptly put it, they arent doing their jobs properly anyway, so why in hell should they get more money to not do their jobs properly?

    Its outrageous.
    :x:x:x:x

    Im thinking of starting my own mail delivery firm. Does anyone want to join me? 50p to send a letter somewhere (thats not really that bad is it?). :biggrin
     
    Certifications: ITIL Foundation; MCTS: Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010, Administration
    WIP: None at present
  2. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

    13,493
    180
    287
    I don't remember the last postal service strike in the US. Most of my parcels come FedEx or UPS, so if you get a fair amount of parcels, you might want to consider that route. If you know your parcels are being held at your local post office, can you just go get them? Here, if I knew my local PO was holding parcels for me, I'd just call them up and tell them to hold them and I'd be by to get them.
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  3. stuPeas

    stuPeas Megabyte Poster

    774
    12
    76
    Totally agree. It seems that they have been getting away with murder for years and are now complaining that they will no longer be paid for the time they DON'T work. F..ing AMAZING. :x
     
    Certifications: C&G Electronic, CIW Associate (v5).
    WIP: CIW (Website Design Manager)
  4. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    1970 - Nixon called out the military to distribute the mail. Strike was resolved in two weeks. The Postal Reorganization Act of 1970 dissolved the United States Post Office Department and created today's United States Postal Service. I don't think they've had a strike since.
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  5. zebulebu

    zebulebu Terabyte Poster

    3,748
    330
    187
    On the other hand, the Postal Service is comprised largely of people who either have been working for them for years and are about to be made redundant with zero prospects of finding another job that pays well, they have been mismanaged for absolutely aeons yet its the people at the ground level who are suffering, whilst middle-managers are being promoted or shuffled sideways to avoid the inevitable corporate slaughter that will be taking place as they try and get themselves lean & mean enough to survive in the 21st Century and it is a horrible, hard, boring job.

    No offence, but I'm getting pretty sick of people moaning about anyone who strikes in this country. One of the absolute, unerodable rights of every single employee should be the right to withdraw labour if they feel they have no other option. In this case, that is true. Whilst I agree that the RMT at times make a mockery of everything that Industrial Action should be about, that generally is not the case with the Postal Workers' unions.

    I made the decision years ago that I didn't want to work in Industrial Relations, after seeing it from both sides of the table (working for a Trade Union for a long period battling against an entrenched, bolshie and argumentative management - then battling against a ridiculously ineffective and onstructive trade union in a later role). I did this because I was fortunate enough to be in a position to be intelligent enough to work my way into a career in IT. This is not the case with many people in the workforce - but just because they aren't career-minded, have circumstances that differ from mine or plain just don't want to do antyhing other than have a simple job for life doing the same essential task, doesn't mean that they have to put up with increasingly shite working conditions, pay rises well below the level of inflation at a time when the average house in the UK now costs TEN TIMES the average salary and the possibility that, through the ineptitude of the senior management at their place of work, the fact that they could lose their jobs.

    We have lost sight in this country, through the actions of consecutive Tory governments, and now a 'Labour' government that is about as socialist as Conrad Black, that the UK was BUILT on the foundations of labour laws which have, at their heart, the fundamental right of ALL workers to be represented by a Trade Union - one of whose responsiblities is to organise workers into groups strong enough to be able to defend the erosion of their labour rights. This is due in no small part to the Trade Unions themselves - most people under the age of 30 don't even know what a Trade Union IS - let alone what it is supposed to do for them, but also because the mass media in the UK is increasingly controlled by Tory scumbags who are more interested in attempting to brainwash people into believing that the lovelives of micro-celebrities are more important than the working conditions of the average British citizen.

    This has become a ramble - so I'll sign off.
     
    Certifications: A few
    WIP: None - f*** 'em
  6. tripwire45
    Honorary Member

    tripwire45 Zettabyte Poster

    13,493
    180
    287
    Geez. Talk about ancient history. I was in high school when that happened. You probably weren't even born yet, Michael. :wink:
     
    Certifications: A+ and Network+
  7. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    I was a few months old... born November, '69. :baby
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  8. mallet

    mallet Kilobyte Poster

    289
    7
    41
    its amazing what you can learn from this forum, thanks for that interesting history :thumbleft

    Iam quite stump about the postal strikes as I buy too many of my stuff off online :(
    Just works out cheaper then retail prices.
    However, some companys lilke crucial.com are offering free UPS service untill the strikes called off. but I think the offers ended and no longer free.

    -Mallet
     
    Certifications: MCP
  9. Fergal1982

    Fergal1982 Petabyte Poster

    4,196
    172
    211
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7038899.stm

    so... let me get this straight, they are now bitching, because they actually have to stay for the entire shift that they are getting paid for? They arent happy because they actually have to do the job they are paid for? What utter crap.

    Im sorry, but I have no sympathy for these guys at all. They dont do their jobs properly (how many people find that their mail is dumped at the bottom of their stairs, rather than put through their letterbox?), and they have been getting away with sloping off early and still getting paid for it.

    There are a few posties who do actually do a good job (ironically mines is one of them), and its a shame for them to be lumped in with the masses, but thats what happens when you join a Union Im afraid.

    Im not averse to the odd strike here and their to make their point. What I am averse to, is this constant striking in short periods. I want my damn mail. I dont want to not get mail from companies that im expecting it from, just because the Royal mail's staff are throwing their toys out of the pram.
     
    Certifications: ITIL Foundation; MCTS: Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010, Administration
    WIP: None at present
  10. zebulebu

    zebulebu Terabyte Poster

    3,748
    330
    187
    You have just highlighted the very points I was trying to make earlier. The reason that the mail service is so shite nowadays is not because of the delivery staff who have been with them for years. It is because of ridiculously piss-poor management in the middle tiers - THEY have been responsible for hiring temporary staff who have no vested interest in delivering mail correctly, not the staff who have been doing the job for years. Cast your mind back to the mid nineties and before - the Royal mail did a largely fantastic job of delivering mail accurately and promptly. Ever since the management were told to get 'lean and mean', they have issued round after round of ridiculously costly redundancies, replaced experienced, conscientious permanent staff with lazy baskets who just can't be arsed (and don't care) about delivering mail because they have no intention of staying there for more than a few months, and have done everything they can to run the service into the ground.

    Your final point is just plain wrong - strikes are not, and should NEVER be undertaken to 'make a point'. That is an awful reason to strike and, having led two strikes in the past, if any of my members came to me and said they felt the workforce should strike to 'make a point', they would have been laughed out of the room. The right to wtihdraw labour should indeed be a basic fundamental right of all workers - but it should ALWAYS be as a last resort. Doing it 'to make a point' is not the case. For a good example of why this is so, take a look at the RMT. They are in a position of advantage in London because of the underground, but have exploited this advantage to the point where they now strike over seemingly trivial, pointless issues, thus losing the groundswell of public support they may have had were they to take Industrial Action only where completely necessary.
     
    Certifications: A few
    WIP: None - f*** 'em
  11. Iklekid

    Iklekid Bit Poster

    27
    0
    14
    Small businesses suffer quite heavily. I am waiting on several cheques that have not arrived that could mean some businesses fail or take a heavy financial hit. I don't agree with strike action, if you don't like the job why stay there?

    People who in the NHS can't strike, its in there contracts that they can't and for a good reason too. Can you imagine if the NHS went on strike?
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCDST, CIW Associate & CIW Pro
    WIP: CIW E-commerce and 70-270
  12. mattwest

    mattwest Megabyte Poster

    514
    8
    62
    I'm not sure if i just have very black and white principles but i'm very much of the opinion if you dont like a job move on. If i accept a job i do the work.... if my employer later merges, outsources or tries to change conditions i'm not opposed to trying to get things changed but i wouldnt strike.... i'm paid to do a job and i do it. You accept uncertainty these days as there is no such thing as a job for life.... so i always make sure my CV and skills are up to date. That way if i dont like it i can move on.

    When in comes to the royal mail they are an essential service that should not be disrupted for these strikes... which have now turned into wildcat strikes. Deep down i just want to say "fire the lot and re-employ people who actually want to work". We have far too many people on the dole and claiming benefits... get them off their arse's and into work!!

    I also dont think just because someone isnt career minded or just wants a simple job is any reason not to do your job or to go on strike... everyone is responsible for their own life and if you are naive enough to think you can just relax, go on strike and never try and better yourself and life wont through you these curve balls.... then i have little sympathy.

    Hopefuly the stikes can be resolved soon rather than later...
     
    Certifications: See my signature...
    WIP: Maybe re-certify my CCNA
  13. Cockles

    Cockles Megabyte Poster

    664
    24
    74
    I think Royal Mail have ballsed this one up a bit to be honest. A strike should be used as a last resort, to highlight the particular plight and to garner public sympathy alongside showing their worth. Whether it's a last resot or not I don't know, they've certainly highlighted themselves, have definitely shown how vital they are, but the feeling I get is that they have now gathered nothing but resentment from the public now, and if anything support for them has lowered dramatically. The same as when the tube drivers bunk off for a few days over pay. However, when you consider that tube drivers get paid more than coppers, firefighters and paramedics, again it is incredibly difficult to feel sympathy for them. When the Fire Brigadde went on strike a few years back there was massive support from them (apart from the army who had to man the Green Goddesses) as they do risk life and limb. Hauling around some letters and getting up a bit early doesn't really compare
     
    Certifications: None
    WIP: Trying to find my car keys
  14. Matt_26uk

    Matt_26uk Nibble Poster

    92
    1
    24
    I think a few people are looking at this from the wrong angle, it’s very easy to sit here and say "well I’d do this" and "my life’s sort in such a way I would never strike" but unless your in there position I don’t think people should be quick to judge.

    I've always had the mentality to get a career rather then a Job, keep my skills up to date and I can move from Job to Job at the same level, in the IT industry were lucky we can do that other industries you cant do that so easily. When you have a Job you can work you way up but if you get fired or you don’t like something its not like you can leave and get the same position else where? Would you throw away years off your life to get to where you are, to then get another job because people above have decided something you didnt like?

    Its not just the pay-increase they want, I know someone whole works for Royal Mail and they are trying to get ride of the pension scheme, someone who’s been putting money away for 10-20 years for there retirement to be told you cant have the money because RM forgot to actually put the money away?

    All for the strike and you can go and collect your mail from local depo as its not RM who distribute the mail round the country, RM just sort the mail at the depos and deliver to the door. Although I feel for small business don’t know what to say about that but if you’ve ordered off eBay or Amazon then get off your arse and pick up your mail yourself.
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, CompTIA A+, N+
    WIP: MCSE, CCNA
  15. Fergal1982

    Fergal1982 Petabyte Poster

    4,196
    172
    211
    ummm, no. I've paid for it to be delivered to my house. I expect it to be delivered. I dont go to a restaurant to be told that the kitchen staff are on strike and, if i want my food im going to have to cook it myself (or perhaps the analogy works better that the waiters are on strike and ill have to go into the kitchen and get my food myself), I dont expect any less from a company paid to deliver my items.

    Not to mention the fact that I dont drive, my depot is nowhere near where I live or work, and dont open at a time when I can get to it.

    Like I said, dont mind the odd strike, but this is just taking the piss.
     
    Certifications: ITIL Foundation; MCTS: Visual Studio Team Foundation Server 2010, Administration
    WIP: None at present
  16. Iklekid

    Iklekid Bit Poster

    27
    0
    14
    I agree with Fergal1982, you pay for a service you expect to get it. At the end of the day RM are a business, the problem we have is that RM bosses know that there is no alternative to using them for standard post. Its fine for sending parcels etc as you have couriers but to send letters you only really have RM.

    I have received no post for the last 5 days and its becoming frustrating waiting for cheques etc.
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCDST, CIW Associate & CIW Pro
    WIP: CIW E-commerce and 70-270
  17. mattwest

    mattwest Megabyte Poster

    514
    8
    62
    I dont think i'm being that too quick too judge.... but life is what you make it. If i worked in royal mail, making my deliveries, quite content to come to work, do my hours and then leave, and as it would appear leave early and still get paid! Live to my means... have no motivation to advance my career or update my skills and then my employer decides to shaft me.... yes maybe they shouldn't, maybe they should do it differently etc etc but at the end of the day that situation is poor planning on the individuals part.... you cant take any job for granted these days.

    I would have worked hard for royal mail, gone to college to learn new skills, looked for promotion where possible, volunteered for tasks, undertaken any training offered or even remotely on the table, saved some money for a rainy day, not stretched myself beyond my means.

    Now i know i sound a bit harsh but i'm a big believer in doing stuff for yourself. yes its p*ss poor the way the royal mail bosses are making changes and its maybe hard on the workers but the workers find themselves having to strike because they were quite content milking the system for the past ten years and now they have no prospects or qualifications etc.......... is that my fault? No its about personaly responsibility.

    I've gone off track a bit with this but one thing that does get my back up is being inconvenienced by these types of stirkes because people havent chose to make the best of themselves and would rather strike, moan and throw their toys out of the pram than do a hard days work or try and find themselves a better job. If you dont like it.... leave! :ohmy:blink ;-)
     
    Certifications: See my signature...
    WIP: Maybe re-certify my CCNA
  18. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    I honestly can't remember the last time I sent an actual "letter". I don't send bill payments by mail, and I don't correspond with people by mail...
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!
  19. Iklekid

    Iklekid Bit Poster

    27
    0
    14
    That's great, that means your not affected. I send all invoices to customers via post and normally receive payment (cheques) via post so you can see RM going on strike affects me......
     
    Certifications: MCP, MCDST, CIW Associate & CIW Pro
    WIP: CIW E-commerce and 70-270
  20. BosonMichael
    Honorary Member Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    BosonMichael Yottabyte Poster

    19,183
    500
    414
    It won't affect me because I don't send letters... but more importantly, it won't affect me because I'm in the US. :usa
     
    Certifications: CISSP, MCSE+I, MCSE: Security, MCSE: Messaging, MCDST, MCDBA, MCTS, OCP, CCNP, CCDP, CCNA Security, CCNA Voice, CNE, SCSA, Security+, Linux+, Server+, Network+, A+
    WIP: Just about everything!

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.