Message of support - Thursday 3rd of September

Today CWU members in these offices are on strike:

London mail centres
Peterborough delivery office

You all have my support and admiration. Send your picket line photos and stories to me at lroy@cwu.org.

Message of support - Wednesday 2nd of September

Today CWU members in the following offices are on strike:

Burslem delivery office
Thames Valley mail centre
Glasgow mail centre

Network (logistics and van) drivers in:
Birmingham Vehicle Operation Centre (60)
Bridgend Hub (20)
Bristol, South West Regional Distribution Centre (400)
Carlisle VOC
Coventry Hubs: (140)
East Midlands Vehicle Operation Centre: (80)
Essex Distribution (75)
Glasgow, Scotland Distribution Centre
Hatfield, Northern Home Counties
Leeds, North East Regional Distribution Centre (100)
 London: (800 approx total for London)
East London Distribution
East London Vehicle Operation Centre
Nine Elms CLS Vehicle Operation Centre
Greenford Vehicle Operation Centre
PRDC
PRDC Vehicle Operation Centre
Northampton, National Distribution Centre (180)
Nottingham, East Midlands VOC at East Midlands airport
Peterborough Vehicle Operation Centre (60)
Swindon Vehicle Operation Centre
Warrington, North West Regional Distribution Centre (202) picket from 5am

You all have my support and admiration. Send your picket line photos or stories to me at lroy@cwu.org.

Paul Olden retires

On Sunday last I received an invitation to attend Paul Olden's retirement do in Milton Keynes on Saturday September 12th. . The invite reads:

"The celebration will be held on Saturday 12th September 2009 at the RAMADA encore Hotel at the HUB, 312 Midsummer Boulevard, Milton Keynes, MK9 2EA from 7.00pm – 1.00pm. We hope you can join us in wishing Paul a long, happy and healthy retirement and the very best for the future."

Paul has over 30 years dedicated service to members of the CWU particularly those in Eastern No. 6 branch where he has served as Branch Secretary. He's also a stalwart of the national Standing Orders Committee. I shall be pleased, to attend as I'm sure many others will, to show the Union's appreciation for all he has done for us. Best wishes for the future Paul. You deserve a rest.

Message of support - Tuesday 1st September

Today CWU members in the following offices are on strike:

Dorset mail centre, Bournemouth
Bristol mail centre collection drivers: From 13:30 for 24 hours (1,000)
Burslem delivery office
Cambridge mail centre
Coventry mail centre
Ipswich mail centre
Maidenhead delivery office
Middlesbrough delivery office
Slough delivery office
Thetford delivery office

You all have my support and admiration. If you have any news or photos from the picket line send them to me at lroy@cwu.org and I'll post them on this blog.

Equal rights for lesbian IVF couples

From Monday 31st of August lesbian couples in England and Wales who have children as the result of fertility treatment after April 6th 2009 can now register both their names on the birth certificate. This welcome change in the law means that for the first time legal parenthood is conferred on a biological mother's female partner for the first time. The CWU welcomes this development and will continue to campaign for full equality for all members of society regardless of their sexual orientation.

Global Solidarity weekend

Spent last weekend at a Global Solidarity summer school organised by the ICTU in Waterford. This was an excellent opportunity to learn more about the most urgent equality and social justice issues in our world today. Heard some excellent contributions from Elliot Ramochela, General Secretary Lesotho Congress of Democratic Unions, Jeroen Beinaert, The International Trade Union Confederation’s coordinator of the Global Campaign against trafficking, Denise Charlton, Director of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Steve Benedict from the Human and Trade Union Rights department of the International Trade Union Confederation, Nessa Ni Chasaide, Debt and Development Coalition, Also attended a reception to celebrate the Centenary of the Waterford Council of Trade Unions. A big thanks to the ICTU and delegates for the warm welcome and an excellent weekend.

DSNAC conference

This years DSNAC conference takes place in Dundee on Saturday October 24th. Please do your best to attend this lively forum where many decisions about our policies on Disability and Special Needs issues are made. It's also a social occasion where you can meet and make friends and useful contacts. If you want to be a delegate contact your branch secretary. Also get your branch to submit a motion. If you need any advice or assistance please let me know at lroy@cwu.org.