CPSU An Post clerical grade and restructuring con job

by John O'H - Independent Workers Union Fri Aug 22, 2003 20:05 Clontarf garage

Just in case anybody got the wrong impression from previous correspondence from other IWU members but the IWU is already alive and kicking here in Dublin. I am a former SIPTU shop steward and Dublin Bus branch committee member and bus driver based in Clontarf garage who along with a group of other Dublin Bus shop stewards resigned from SIPTU over their complete failure to represent and lack of interest in Dublin Bus workers. I have already managed to recruit over 40 drivers in Clontarf garage into the IWU and I know that other drivers have joined the IWU in the other 6 bus garages as well. The IWU also has members in Irish Rail and Bus Eireann in Dublin as well as in the Dublin Bus canteen on Marlborough Place. We also have members in the ESB generating station at Poolbeg and in Dublin Airport and among drivers for the private bus operators. We also intended to actively recruit members from the LUAS when the LUAS comes on line next year. Regarding An Post we do have a number of members there who are in the IWU especially in the GPO still at an unoffical level at the moment. So we already have a good base here in Dublin but as has been previously mentioned a public meeting to offically launch the IWU in Dublin and to expand the IWU into many more workplaces particularly those that are non-unionised at the moment and those in the private sector will be held here next month with the times and venues to be thrashed out.

by Sean H - An Post Thu Aug 21, 2003 14:49

From various people that I've talked to especially here in South Andrew Street where I work it looks like the result could be a lot closer than what many people think and there is certainly a good chance that the deal could be rejected especially as people read through the 12 page document again and again they see that there are many strings attached probably too many for many. I do commend the CPSU An Post Branch Committee for at least giving us a few weeks to think and vote on this and not having a rushed ballot. The ballot doesn't close until this day week the 28th. It will be a terrible slap in the face for the Branch Committe if the members do vote this down and the chances of this happening are growing by the day. I personally think that the CPSU negotiating team should have taken the original 8.5% deal that was offered by the management with far fewer strings attached rather than this 10.5% deal which is a great headline rate increase but with far too many strings attached. At the end of the day sometimes you're probably better off not always trying to grab the highest increase of pay possible. There are other things to be considered such as terms and conditions of employment which are just as important as pay.

by why - why Thu Aug 21, 2003 01:39

why can't people actually do something instead of always doing stupid infighting. If you want answers of the socialist party or joe higgins their names are in the phone book. how about organising a fightback instead of infighting?

by Socialist Party explain your role in this Wed Aug 20, 2003 22:08

The silence from the Socialist Party a party supposed to represent the workers over their alledged role in trying to force a shoddy deal onto the An Post workforce is deafening especially if as has been alledged by a number of commentators here the Socialist Party have a majority on the CPSU Executive Committee. Some answers please from the Socialist Party comrades please. I know that you do read Indymedia.

by Independent Workers Union - Independent Workers Union Wed Aug 20, 2003 14:48 Independent Workers Union, Trade Union Centre, 55 North Main Street, Cork

As Galway postie says our union is going from strength to strength all over the country. Starting in our original base of Cork we have several hundred members in both the private and public sectors including the ESB (administrative, power stations and line transmisson), Bus Eireann (like ESB covering all grades), An Post (headquarters staff and posters and sorters), Tesco, Dunnes Stores and a number of other retail outlets and restaurants and cafes and Cork Regional Hospital amongst others.

We also have a good presence in Galway as Galway postie referred to. Apart from Galway Regional Hospital where our shop steward and organiser has been disgracefully suspended on very dubious grounds just because he is our representative in Galway Regional Hospital we also have members working for An Post (several different grades), Bus Eireann (like An Post different categories) and again like Cork we have a broad representation in the retail and catering sector.

We will be having a public meeting in Dublin in September exact date and venue to be sorted out yet to offically launch the Independent Workers Union in the capital and we would like to encourage everyone to attend. More details to follow.

by Magneto Wed Aug 20, 2003 14:25

I think you may be mistaking me for someone else, the daddy things dont make sense. I indeed condemn the Stalinists, I have no time for Kik Jong Il cheerleaders or those who have a rose tinted view of the past actions of the WP or CP. I concentrate on the SP because they concentrate on attacking the LP.

I have made my differences with the SWP clear in the past as well. I dont come into conflict with them as much because they are less self righteous than the SP.

I am not a blind fan of the LP leadership, I campaigned for a no vote for Nice and took part in Direct Action over Shannon. I also oppose partnership.

by Dubcek Wed Aug 20, 2003 13:14

Sorry Chekov, that was aimed at Magneto. Come on Magneto, you're good a throwing it not so good at taking it! So whats your view of daddys past politics. Seems to me like you're obbsessed with the Trots (especially the millies) but never have a go at stalinists. Are you reallly opposed to Leninism or is it just a childish gripe against one (albeit rather weird) bunch of Leninists.

by Dubcek Wed Aug 20, 2003 13:12

Sorry Chekov, that was aimed at Magneto. Come on Magneto, you're good a throwing it not so good at taking it! So whats your view of daddys past politics. Seems to me like you're obbsessed with the Trots (especially the millies) but never have a go at stalinists. Are you reallly opposed to Leninism or is it just a childish gripe against one (albeit rather weird) bunch of Leninists.

by Galway postie - Independent Workers Union (IWU) Tue Aug 19, 2003 21:20 Galway city

The above shameful attempted sell-out of ordinary decent hard-working and poorly paid workers in An Post by their Trade Union; the Civil Public & Service Union (CPSU) and the equally shameful climbdown by the 2 trade unions representing CIE workers; SIPTU and the National Bus & Rail workers Union (NBRU) proves the point more than ever that we need the Independent Workers Union (IWU); the only union that will stand up to the bosses and fight to defend worker's living standards and conditions of employment. I am proud to say that I am a member of the IWU in Galway city working for An Post in the Galway GPO (Offically still 'represented' by the Communications Workers Union (CWU), coz the management won't recognise us joining the IWU). The IWU has a good base in Galway city; as well as in Cork; to such an extent that the bosses see us as a very real threat. One of our IWU shop stewards in Galway Regional Hospital has been suspended on totally spurious grounds just because he has been successful at recruiting many workers in Galway Regional Hospital into the IWU; both workers pissed off with the lack of representation from their unions; and even more encouragingly many workers who weren't previously unionised. Well I have news for the bosses; the IWU hasn't gone away you know; and neither will we; we're going to keep on recruiting many more new members into the IWU. So we will be recruiting many workers in both An Post and the CIE group of companies; and I would strongly encourage any pissed off workers in both CIE and An Post to join the IWU even if the management at first won't 'offically' recognise the IWU.

by King Mob Tue Aug 19, 2003 17:02

You are not fooling anyone you little toadie. You have a chip on your shoulder because the Human Race wont let you join.

by College House CPSU Rank And File Tue Aug 19, 2003 16:46

From what I've been (very) reliably told from trusted sources 3 members of the CPSU An Post Branch Committe voted against recommending this shoddy deal - one of whom at least is a Socialist Party activist - So Stalinist Swatter you're a liar. And curious why do you have this Paul? on the brain - The author of this comment is in fact female.

College House CPSU Rank And File

by Mailman Matt - CWU Tue Aug 19, 2003 15:41

I'm in another An Post union - CWU but I remember a few years back somethink similar happening. The Trot (I think Workers Power also back then) leadership of the CPSU branch negotiated a deal, reccomended it to the members and had it thrown back in their faces.

The SP were livid, the CPSU executive committe member, Telboy wanted to elect a new membership.

by Stalinist Swatter Mon Aug 18, 2003 16:11

Hes the sole disgruntled member. Hes got a grudge against the SP in An Post because no one takes him seriously. Would you want him representing you?

by Magneto Mon Aug 18, 2003 15:57

But they are also being f...d over by the SP, negotiating deals behind the members backs.

by Student - Former an post temp Mon Aug 18, 2003 15:53

last christmas in the dmc, a big sorting office, and diddnt realise it for a few nights, but the union was on a go - slow. all the staff on the floor felt fucked over by the union. this isnt a millie stirring shit, its there , its smelly , and it deserves to be dealt with.

by Agent of Chaos Mon Aug 18, 2003 15:51

Denis Keane has been President of the CPSU for years now. Dont they believe anyone else should hold the position, even another SP member?

by Magneto Mon Aug 18, 2003 15:30

That was the Public Service Executives Union, this is the CPSU and the SP have sveral members on its Executive Council.

Its interesting to see rank and file opposition to the stance taken by SP negotiators ON BHALF of the members.

by Chekov Mon Aug 18, 2003 15:29

Dubcek, was that addressed to me? Or are you saying that you know who magneto is? I'm quite confused.

by Dubcek Mon Aug 18, 2003 15:20

Seening as you have such a problem with Leninists, junior, why dont you ask Daddy what his position was on the crushing of socialism in czechoslovakia, the invasion of Afghanistan, the crushing of workers unions in Poland etc. before he became a born again social democrat or is it just the Trot variety that you object to.

Neither Stalin nor Trotsky but workers democracy!

(Oh and you can add Deputy Rabbitte to the list along with Leon, Vlad and Uncle Joe)

by Chekov Mon Aug 18, 2003 15:19

At least I remember an SP member posting a comment to that effect a couple of months ago. You can't blame everything on the SP.

by Magneto Mon Aug 18, 2003 14:47

Isnt a member of the SP from the Post branch of the CPSU (I wont name him unless the SP start peddling lies) on the Executice Council of the CPSU? Whats he doing about this? Is he part of the negotiating team that is disappointing the members?

by Curious Mon Aug 18, 2003 14:23

Is this Paul under another guise?