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Issue: 2176 dated: 7 November 2009 Post dispute
posted: 6.39pm Tue 3 Nov 2009

This article should be read after: Solidarity can win the post fight

Last week’s solid strikes showed workers’ strength

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by Socialist Worker reporters across Britain

Around 120,000 postal workers took strike action last week and CWU union activists across Britain told Socialist Worker that their action remained absolutely solid.

Workers in mail centres and the company’s network joined picket lines on Thursday.

Friday saw action by staff who process misaddressed mail. Delivery and collection workers walked out last Saturday.

Matt Bradbury reports from Cornwall that workers at Truro mail centre were in a determined mood.

The few who crossed picket lines the previous week changed their minds after seeing the strength of the union in action and joined the action.

From Northamptonshire, senior union rep Mark Batterham told Socialist Worker that the NDC depot at Crick was again solid, and that there were fewer owner-operator drivers scabbing than during the previous strike.

The mood was one of anger and determination to beat the bosses and the government.

Pickets spoke about how management had bullied them on their return to work from the last strike.

At Romford in Essex the mood was upbeat as management’s declared aim to flood the mail centre with casual workers came to nothing.

“They’ve got about a dozen casuals in there, plus the managers,” said senior union rep Ryan Ward. “That’s exactly the same as last week.

“Honestly, the managers who go on about how they are going to break us are a joke.”

The strike in delivery offices on Saturday was similarly successful.

The feeling of widespread public support created a buzz on the picket line in Old Trafford, Manchester.

“We’ve seen the leaflet for the solidarity with postal workers meeting everywhere,” said local union rep Neil Ainsley.

“It’s got a photo of our picket line on it. That’s great!”

The following should be read alongside this article:

Solidarity can win the post fight

Notes from a postal striker in the north: Sack the dimwit duo and cronies

We’re standing up to Royal Mail’s bullies

Postie soldier is bosses’ target

They’re all doing their bit to back the post strikers

Shut down the scab centres

Job centres ban casual ads

We should come first

Only a good deal will be enough

A junk article in the Sun

Mandelson goes all quiet on us

Union leaders must do more

Step up the action to win

A day in the life of a post support group

Where now for workers' struggle after post strikes suspended?

Why post union should not have stopped strikes

© Socialist Worker (unless otherwise stated). You may republish if you include an active link to the original.

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