Royal Mail Outdoor & Indoor Conference day 2

Royal Mail Outdoor & Indoor Conference
17th June 2005.

Day 2
The first three motions of the day concerned the use of cars on delivery.
As with last years conference this resulted in much debate as it is such a contentious issue.

The use of cars on delivery is opposed by the union nationally & by this Branch. Last year a motion was passed that sought renumeration & safeguards for our members who use their own vehichles for delivering mail. Some have wrongly seen this as an acceptence of using cars on delivery.

Motions 5.28 & 5.30 were not carried.
However motion 5.31, which called for an agreement to be reach with the employer (who at this time is not interested in reaching any such agreement) in line with composite motion J, as carried at last years conference, by April 2006. Faliure to reach an agreement will result in the Postal Executive consulting with the membership ways that this issue can be resolved.

The use of cars on delivery effects jobs!

Other motions debated concerned:
Good Friday working issues & how to resolve difficulties in this area.

Romec Cleaners bonus scheme.

Allowance for members who use computers or computerised tills.

& a most passionate debate on ‘the Royal Mail way’. Which seeks to undermine the union. A simmilar incentive has been used in other industries. Do not be fooled into this incentive. Remember the FACT that unionised work places have higher pay & better conditions than their non unionised counterparts.


Motions carried / accepted today:
Motions 5.31, 5.32, 5.33, 5.37, 5.42, 5.44, 5.49, 5.54, 5.55, composite motion 5E, composite motion 5F, motion 5.63, emergency motion EM5, composite motion 5i & motion 5.81.

Composite motion 5F was moved by Adam Oakes on behalf of this Branch & sought to protect the jobs of our members working in quadrant.

In the main it has been a good conference with many motions passed that will improve the terms & conditions of our members.

Most of our delegation got to speak at the rostrum, myself included (it’s like staring at the lights of an on coming truck). The Executive Committees seemed more than ever to be closer in tune with the workplace reps & membership.

On several occassions clear messages were sent to seniour management that only by working with the union can we save our industry. Exclude the union at your (& our) cost.

I’d like to thank the delegation for making this, my first conference as acting branch secretary, an enjoyable & smooth conference.
Hopefully I didn’t make a hash of anything. I’m sure they’ll tell me if I did.

Also I hope that my reports have been of interest (even for those who have no idea what the listed motions are) & have given a feel for what has been happening.

Michael Williams
Acting Branch Secretary
Eastern 5.