You will be aware that negotiations have been taking place for nearly 3 months since reaching the interim agreement in
November 2009.
We understand that CWU members will be concerned about the lack of detailed information and how long talks are taking.
However, the length of negotiations really does reflect the fact that the scale of change involved and the challenges that lie ahead are unprecedented.
Furthermore, whilst we would like to provide more detailed information, the negotiations are taking place under the auspices of an independent chair with the support of ACAS and all parties agreed to retain confidentiality. Despite this we believe it is important to remind everybody what we set out to achieve.
The CWU has consistently stated that we cannot afford to face away from change – but that change must be introduced through negotiation and in a way that aligns the interests of customers, the workforce and the company as a whole. We set out our key objectives as follows:
• The need to reach an agreement covering all aspects of operational change, the introduction of new machinery/new technology and how this affects jobs.
• The need to reach an agreement that ensures we protect as many jobs as possible -with no compulsory redundancies – alongside a package of measures that will provide greater long term job security.
• The need to reach an agreement that provides an improved benefits package covering higher basic pay, overall earnings opportunities, a shorter working week and family friendly policies.
• The need to reach an agreement that will fundamental improve industrial and employee relations.
• The need to reach an agreement that will ensure future workload is based on fair, objective and transparent measurement systems.
We must also recognise that our aspirations are set against the environment the business now operates within and the company’s own objectives, which include the introducing of a standarised six day work plan.
The current position is that whilst there are a few of major issues to finalise, we have made real progress and we want to conclude an agreement very soon and communicate in more detail. At the same time we continue to pursue a pensions resolution through all available channels.
A further update will be provided in due course.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P)
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