Tuesday 23 June 2009

Age discrimination in BT?

My department has received enquiries about potential age discrimination against over 60's members in BT as regards redundancy payments and also NewStart. Without going into details of individual cases it appears the complainants are being subjected to different treatment than under 60's. As regards redundancy payments all workers have statutory rights including over 60's. I am currently seeking clarification about NewStart from the relevant officer and also taking legal advice. If you have evidence of age discrimination in BT or elsewhere please let me know.

Monday 22 June 2009

Latest poll result

Our latest poll on reserved seats for black workers is now closed. The result shows that 62.5% of those participating want reserved seats for black workers on the NEC and 37.5% do not. This, plus the debate at annual conference, gives us food for thought. If you took part please accept my thanks. If you've any comments please post them.

Wednesday 17 June 2009

London region strike this Friday - send messages of support!

Ten thousand CWU members working in delivery, collection and processing offices in London will be withdrawing their labour for twenty four hours on Friday 19th June. This is a result of managements ongoing attempts to introduce unagreed changes to my members terms and conditions of employment. The fact that members overwhelmingly voted for strike action against the current economic downturn and credit crouch shows how aggrieved they feel. Please send messages of support.

Visit to Heathrow


Today I took our prize winning information and advice stall and the CWU Black History exhibition to the Heathrow Distribution Centre at Langley with my acting PA Dionne. This was an initiative organised by the South East Regional Secretary Terry Jackson which gave us the opportunity to talk to members about their employment rights and also to recruit new members. Tomorrow we will be visiting Gatwick City Place. Thanks to Terry for his help and to the many members and non members we met. If you would like us to come to your workplace let me know.

Linda Roy

Wednesday 10 June 2009

Equality Department conference award


The CWU equality Department exhibit has won first prize for the stall at Annual Conference. Judges praised the stall for it's popularity, information and design. Pictured at front are CWU national Equality Officer Linda Roy with prize, Pauline Granstan from the Research department. Behind are Dionne Gittens Linda's Acting PA, and Ian Taylor from the Race Advisory Committee.


Sunday 7 June 2009

Conference Equality Disco success

The CWU pre conference Equality Disco was an outstanding success. Attending delegates raised over £1000 for our Just a Drop campaign. Thank you everyone. Keep logging on for conference updates.

Monday 1 June 2009

Overwhelming vote for strike action in London

CWU memebrs in London have returned a massive 91% vote for strike action in protest at management introducing unagreed changes to term and conditions of employment. Significantly all e 154 Royal Mail uniformed grade offices unanimously voted "Yes". www.royalmailchat.co.uk reports that:
"Every delivery office , every mail centre , every RDC, network and distribution returned a massive yes vote for strike action in pursuance of a national agreement.
London South West which includes 20 delivery offices , a mail centre and 2 hubs. voted 1279 yes and 117 no for strike action.
East London Postal which includes 18 delivery offices, a mail centre and 3 hubs voted 975 yes and 58 no for strike action.
Mount Pleasant which includes a delivery office , a mail centre and the airport mail unit voted 1160 yes and 164 no for strike action.
West London postal which includes 13 delivery offices voted 385 yes and 92 no for strike action.
West End amal which includes W1 and WC delivery offices and 4 collection hubs voted 441 yes and 26 no for strike action.
South East London Postal which has 28 different delivery offices and 4 hubs voted 831 yes and 78 no for strike action.
North and North west London which includes 33 delivery offices and 6 hubs voted 1245 yes and 68 no for strike action.
There is also huge yes votes at PRDC and East London DC and East London VOC , Nine Elms VOC , PRDC VOC and Greenford."
Congratulations on a magnificent show of solidarity. No one wants to strike but what alternative do workers have when management introduce unagreed changes?