19.09.1996

Workers refuse to give in

Strikes affecting the post office and much of the rail network were due to go ahead this weekend.

Following a meeting of branch activists in London, the Communication Workers Union rejected any idea of calling off the action against Royal Mail’s ‘teamworking’ attacks on working conditions and union rights. Ron Rodwell, branch committee member at London’s Mount Pleasant sorting office, told me:

“No-one was in favour of the deal. Some branches wanted a reballot, but the argument for that was that it would demonstrate clearly that the members were still supporting the fight. The main areas were solidly for stepping up industrial action, but it was unanimously agreed to leave the decision to the executive committee.”

The CWU action on Friday and Monday coincides with strikes by RMT union members at 11 of the 24 regional railway companies over payment for past productivity and breaks. More companies decided to settle following last week’s one-day walkouts.

North West Regional Railways and Regional Railways North East conceded a 37-hour week and agreed to discuss productivity payments. A local union activist told me: “The north east management had been vigorously promoting a back-to-work campaign, which was disgracefully supported by some union reps. Fortunately, it was largely ignored by the members.

“There has also been enormous pressure on North West RMT drivers. Eight were suspended for standing by their union’s instructions not to do the work of guards. They had already received final warnings and expected to be sacked. Yet they still refused to scab.”

However, both companies collapsed when the RMT imposed a rest-day overtime ban, which would have hit services every day. The disciplinary action against the drivers has been ‘suspended’ and activists expect that it will be quietly dropped.

Peter Manson