Gloucestershire’s Voice

Gloucestershire’s Voice is the journal of the CWU Gloucestershire Amalgamated Branch. It is published periodically by Paul Trehearne and other Branch Officers and Reps. The views expressed in the journal are those of individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect official CWU policy at both local and national level. Any contribution may be sent to Paul Trehearne at PO Box 59 Gloucester GL4 3AA or by email to GLOSAMAL@aol.com

Gloucestershire Amalgamated Branch
PO Box 59
Gloucester
GL4 3AA
Tel 01452 333970
Email: GLOSAMAL@aol.com

Save Gloucester Mail Centre Campaign
After the very successful and supported membership meeting on Saturday 30th September it was agreed by everyone present that we actively oppose the closure of Gloucester Mail Centre. It was reported that messages of support have been received from East London Postal Branch, London 7, South West No 1 (Exeter), Coventry, Eastern No 5 (Peterborough), Newcastle Amal, Mount Pleasant and the Northern Ireland Regional Secretary. Other messages have also been received from branch across the Country.
It was reported that Royal Mail have never considered a future for Gloucester. The only options considered were either extending Swindon Mail Centre or building a new office in Swindon. Those present at the meeting agreed that Gloucester is a productive and efficient office and they pledged their support to keep it open.
It was said at the meeting that the impact on staff would be 121 people transferring to Delivery Offices within the GL Postcode Area, 77 redundancies, 61 people transferring to Swindon, 26 transferring to other offices (Worcester and Bristol have been suggested) and 16 people leaving the business (dismissals, retirements etc).
It is disgraceful that Royal Mail have announced these plans without any involvement of the unions or employees. Only now are they asking both the CWU and employees to get involved.
Staff have received an invitation to give assistance to Kevin Cooper and Glen Fowler, with the project. We strongly recommend that no CWU members volunteers to help shut this office.
Members will know that we have the full support of Parmjit Dhanda MP. We have also arranged to meet with David Drew (Stroud MP) and Martin Horwood (Cheltenham MP) where we will be seeking their support.
We need to get as many letters in the local press as possible so Royal Mail are aware of the depth of feeling there is within Gloucestershire. Get family friends and relatives to write to the following papers:
The Citizen, 6-8 The Oxbode, Gloucester, GL1 1RZ. Or citizen.letters@glosmedia.co.uk
Gloucestershire Echo 1 Clarence Parade Cheltenham GL50 3NY or echo.news@glosmedia.co.uk

What are we planning
Press Campaign
All Political Parties Support
Campaign Website
Postcard Campaign
Get all Local Authorities on board
Door to Door Leaflets
Adjournment Debate in Parliament
Early Day Motion in Parliament
March and or Rally through City
Public Meetings
Press Releases
E-mail's supporting us to Leighton & Crozier.
Our own feasibility study
Radio Broadcasts
Any other suggestions, please let us know.

Meetings are arranged this week between CWU reps and David Drew MP and Martin Horwood MP. We will be seeking their assistance and hope that they will be able to apply as much political pressure on Royal Mail. We will keep you updated on their views.

Over the next few days and weeks the Work Time Learning & Listening session will concentrate on the issues around the closure.
It is important that your line and shift managers LISTENS to your views about the closure. Tell them you do not accept it, tell them you will be fighting it, tell them they have made a big mistake in closing this office.
Make sure your message gets across to your line and shift managers. This Mail Centre is worth fighting for. It is up to every single one of us to voice our outright opposition to their plans.

Postal Executive Meeting
The CWU National Executive met yesterday (3rd October) and received a document from the National Indoor Office—Martin Collins on the current situation regarding the closure of Gloucester Mail Centre.
The following statements was unanimously endorsed by the Executive.
“Changes to the Network cannot be purely based on the best financial case because Royal Mail also have an obligation towards their employees, their families and the communities that they serve. They must abide by our National Agreement to ensure these matter are included within their considerations and dealt with in the appropriate way”.
The recommendation contained within the document state:
“The Postal Executive will give immediate consideration to authorise an Industrial Action Ballot of ALL CWU GRADES EMPLOYED IN THE MAIL CENTRE NETWORK should the business fail in future to comply with the terms of the Pay and Performance in Mail Centre National Agreement.

The eleven options RM considered
Stay as we are
Extend Swindon, consolidating RG only
Extend Swindon, consolidating RG & GL
Extend Swindon, consolidating RG & OX
Extend Swindon, consolidating RG & SP
Extend Swindon, consolidating RG,GL & SP
Extend Swindon, consolidating RG,GL & OX
Extend Swindon, consolidating RG only GL to BS
New Swindon Office consolidating RG only
New Swindon Office consolidating RG & GL
New Swindon Office consolidating RG,GL & OX
What RM did not consider
Extending Gloucester
New Gloucester Mail Centre
WHY NOT?
We have the right to know !

4th October 2006