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LckDav
30th May 2010, 23:36
The week started off with 2 drivers ready to start their new full-time permanent jobs after 5 years of working on the agency. The week ended without them being taken on and news that 10 other drivers were being made redundant even though we have a signed contract saying no redundancies till July 2011. We were all put on consultation despite the fact that we had never been this busy, this isnt about cost cutting this is an attack on our union or more so our union steward (who I cant praise or thank enough for his effort and dedication to our cause over many years).

What happened next was obvious what this was all about. They wouldnt consider voluntary redundancies (despite the fact there are 12 drivers willing to take it) ,they made their criteria to take out the one they desperately wanted, which we would all be judged on, attendance, disciplinary, filling out your daily check sheets and the best bit your attitude! Kenny our steward and 9 other good lads were last week given the bad news.

The company were very surprised when told we were taking a ballot (what did they think we were going to do?)and now weve had lots of letters from them with their smear campaign and lies concerning the union. The contract manager wants to talk to us now in confidence and his door is open even though in the past he wouldnt look at you and the threats have started by them. Get the right result next Friday of the ballot and were hitting the gate soon after.

We just want our terms and conditions agreed to, met nothing more,nothing less
See you on the gate Honest John

RED DAVE
31st May 2010, 13:05
Cool, but where is this, what firm, what union?

RED DAVE

LckDav
1st June 2010, 18:22
Cool, but where is this, what firm, what union?

RED DAVE

Forgot the important bit Dave didnt :blushing:

In Runcorn, D.h.l is the firm and Unite is the union

Ocean Seal
2nd June 2010, 00:05
Keep the pressure up on the capitalist class.

LckDav
15th June 2010, 19:03
83% voted yes for industrial action
we were on the gate from this friday 18.6 and yesterday dhl wanted to talk to us there re-instating the 10 drivers and restarting the process but this time they will consider voluntary redundancies

more details when we get them comrades :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Blake's Baby
15th June 2010, 19:37
Maybe you could change (or get changed?) the thread title changed to say NW England so local comrades could give you some support? Maybe mention DHL too so if people are thinking of solidarity action. I'm a bit far away from Rucorn, but I wish you luck.

redmist
15th June 2010, 22:12
Now that's the sort of action I wish my union would take! Best of luck mate!

LckDav
16th June 2010, 02:51
Got a couple of links here if someone be so kind as to post them up for me ?

RedRise
16th June 2010, 11:10
Finally people are taking some action! Good luck!!!:thumbup1:

Decolonize The Left
16th June 2010, 20:05
Changed thread title to more adequately reflect the content. That is all.

- August

Jdalichau
17th June 2010, 03:18
Good luck to you Comrade from a steward in the International Brotherhood of Teamsters local 174. Keep the pressure on!! My company is a union hating embarrassment to human dignity also.
Even though your across the great pond, were still with you in your struggle.

Blake's Baby
19th June 2010, 13:57
LckDav has asked me to post these links to sites where there is more detail about this:

http://www.itfglobal.org/global-delivery/index.cfm/newsdetail/4495/region/1/order/1

http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=21464

LckDav
10th July 2010, 00:19
Drivers' victory

DHL Supply Chain lorry drivers working from the giant Howden's Kitchens depot in Runcorn, Cheshire have won their dispute against 10 redundancies.

The company had drawn up the redundancy selection criteria unilaterally, without consulting with the Unite trade union. The criteria coincidentally seemed to select some of the leading union stewards at the depot!
Following a ballot with over 80% of members voting for action against the redundancy criteria, the depot was due to go on strike last week, with expressions of solidarity from DHL depots round the country. The company have now withdrawn the redundancies.
The Howden's contract has a very well organised union and is a model for union organisation across the road transport industry. Originally the union was not even recognised but through the efforts of a group of committed stewards the TGWU, now Unite, won recognition a number of years ago. These redundancies were a threat to all that had been achieved.
It is an important dispute to have won with implications across the industry