As postal workers prepare for a further round of strikes, Socialist
Appeal supporters in Norwich have been active in raising support for
the struggle. Over £200 for the strike fund has been raised by
supporters in the city centre. The comrades also interviewed a worker
at the Rowntree Way sorting office picket line last Friday.
Q Why are you on strike today and what are the issues at Rowntree Way sorting office for the post workers and the Union?
…..the
issues for us in delivery are unagreed and unacceptable work practices
being introduced, unachievable standards that we can’t reach …. we are
being threatened with loss of earnings, possible suspension leading to
a possible dismissal if we don’t reach [targets set by management]
Q How is management’s imposition of unagreed targets affecting postal workers?
"…people
coming in off their own backs in early, not taking their meal breaks,
working over their payed overtime because they are fearing for their
jobs, …..people are coming in when they should not be here if they
are sick, because Royal Mail policy is to over ride Doctors
certificates and dock their pay if they don’t come back …….they are
highly pressurised and for me that is the main issues on a daily basis
……..harassment and bullying is the biggest issue as far as i am
concerned allied with, in the future, we will all be part time which is
no good to anyone."
Q How would you answer those who say you should count yourself lucky to have a job and go back to work?
" …….
i can see where they are coming from and it is a good job but we need
to keep it a good job …so the only way to keep it as a good job is to
be out here on the streets, ….a good job is not a part time job or a
job where you are working 10 hours for nothing - so yea, we are lucky to
have a good job and we need to keep it, and if we don’t fight for it
now it won’t be the same in the future…. "
Q How do management attempt to intimidate post workers in the sorting office?
" ….
if the lads are sorting a manger will stand behind them with a stop
watch and count how many letters or packets are sorted in a minute or
half an hour and tell the worker that they are not sorting at the
(un)agreed rate and that they should be sorting faster although none of this has
been agreed with by the Union at any level …..management let you
know that if you don’t reach their standard you could have your pay
stopped."
Q Has anyone had pay stopped or threatened at Rowntree Way?
"…..
we have not had anyone at Rowntree have their pay stopped yet or been
moved out of the office but over at Peterborough workers have had pay
stopped and had wages held back and have gone several weeks without pay."
Q How strong is the Union at Rowntree Way sorting office?
"……
before the strike Union membership here was already at a high level but
since the ballot almost all the workers are now members and have joined
up because they can see what is coming."
