Rally to support post workers this Weds

A message from Oxford and District Trades Council

Dear brothers and sisters,

Dave Ward, CWU Deputy General Secretary (Postal sector), met with the Oxford Royal Mail management yesterday and negotiated a return to work agreement for the Mail Centre the members were happy with and voted to accept. In exchange for the unofficial action to be called off, Royal Mail have:

1) disclosed the accusations against Steve Gill and the suspended driver
2) accepted to follow the correct disciplinary procedure with an unusually fast and strict timetable of 3 weeks;
3) accepted that a national official will deal with both cases (also unusual at this stage of a disciplinary);
4) withdrawn all threats to Bob, Kevin and Bryan

During a packed meeting at the Cowley Workers Social Club this morning Dave Ward told the members that in consideration for the loss of pay in the last week the workers at the Oxford Mail Centre had special dispensation from the CWU national leadership NOT to take part in the planned official strike this coming Wednesday (from 7:pm through to Thursday). Guess what? Those pesky posties voted to accept the deal and go back in on Monday, but unanimously voted TO STRIKE on Wednesday with the rest of the Mail Centres in the country.

(Please note that according to the national CWU plans, Delivery Offices will strike separately from Friday evening through to Saturday).

CWU have asked us to show our support with a RALLY THIS WEDNESDAY from 7:00 pm, when the pickets arrive at the Mail Centre. Please circulate the request widely, come along with colleagues, family, friends and banners. Let's force the Oxford Mail to publish photos showing that Oxford supports the posties and thanks them for withstanding the horrendous pressure and attacks from all sides, even if (shock and horror!) they dared having a barbecue on the picket line last week instead of publicly flagellating themselves. They have again shown wonderful solidarity with each other while defending the mail service for us all.

I hope to see you there.

Fraternally,

Dona Velluti
President
Oxford & District Trades Union Council