by René Lavanchy
Royal Mail has apparently backed down from ordering their managers to do postmen and women’s work during the Communication Workers’ Union’s national strike, after protests from managers’ union Unite.
As Tribune reported last week, Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson wrote to managers telling them to do at least two days’ sorting and delivery work during the strike week, saying that “the need to provide a service for customers relying on us means this can no longer be optional”. The letter drew a complaint from Paul Reuter, Unite’s national officer representing 12,000 Royal Mail managers, who asked him to withdraw the instruction.
But following an enquiry from Tribune, a press statement from Royal Mail said last week: “Anyone who is not able to work directly in the operation for whatever reason is not required to do so.” The statement came on the same day that Unite’s joint general secretaries, Derek Simpson and Tony Woodley, wrote to their Royal Mail members expressing solidarity with the CWU.
Mr Reuter told Tribune this week: “It’s clear that Mark Higson went too far and has removed himself from his earlier position. This is helpful given the current difficulties and our desire for both parties to reach a settlement that can take the business forward.”
