People Before Profit visited three sites used by the now-privatised delivery company. We spoke to workers about their experience in the company, in fightbacks against management and on the practical aspects of maintaining the pickets in the face of fairly hostile press.
Workers spoke to us on two more sites and about how they were doing on the first day of pickets and how Royal Mail implements a two-tier workforce to break solidarity. See Part 1 of the picket interview articles here.
How have management reacted to pickets?
‘The company came out a few days ago decided to try and bribe the management to stay in. They offered them £1000 or £1500. There will be a set amount of managers who will come in. But we haven’t seen anyone trying to cross pickets this morning. Well, we’ve seen two agency staff.’
What about agency staff? Are they actively recruited in the union? Are they standing on the pickets with you?
‘Historically the agency staff haven’t been recruited here. And I’m not sure why to be honest. Angard are the agency. Angard are owned by Royal Mail. Royal Mail own the agency. That was their way of putting in a two-tier workforce. The agency workers who came in (and broke the picket to work today) are younger and wouldn’t understand. But on a typical Friday morning there’s like 20 plus agency. You know what I mean, …30? So out of 30 agency they have only 3 or so…! A handful. But then there’s the late shift- the night shift. Then it gets really busy. It’ll be madness in there tomorrow.
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Are the windows posters having any kind of an impact?
The only impact it’s having is that we’re having an impact. There’s nobody out delivering, know what I mean? We’ve caused that. Us standing here. The real thing is here.
Spot on for people doing that but I haven’t seen anyone leave this place yet. And I’ve not seen anyone going around delivering parcels. If they do get anything out and they see the posters spot on for those people. But the real thing is here.
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All the picketers appreciated the visits and support but it is their fight. They had 72% turnout. 99% of those voted for strike action and the union acted quickly to organise the pickets.
Friday 26 was the first of the four announced strike dates. Wednesday next week will be Royal Mail Strike Day 2 and a large rally in the city centre will happen. People Before Profit encourages all the public north and south to come out and support them. Days 3 and 4 will be on Thursday 8 September and Friday 9 September.
CWU RALLY WED 31 AUGUST CITY HALL BELFAST 1PM