'What You Can Learn From Your Striking Postie' - Isabella Simpson

'What You Can Learn From Your Striking Postie' - Isabella Simpson

Over the last couple of months we have seen union after union, profession after profession, ballot for strike action. From the rail workers in the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) to criminal barristers who are members of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA), working people have been pushed to their limits and there is a growing sense that simply: ‘enough is enough.’ Over the summer, the RMT led the way when it came to strike action, with their General Secretary, Mick Lynch, becoming a star overnight. Now, it seems that it is the Communication Workers Union (CWU) who will lead us and all unions, through the autumn with strikes planned and more unions will be balloting.

“We can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks” Dave Ward, General Secretary of the CWU 2022.

On August 17th it was announced that over 115,000 UK postal workers voted overwhelmingly for further industrial action over working conditions, ahead of four days of strikes already planned for late August into early September. Action came after Royal Mail supported a mere 2% pay increase for employees. The CWU said that there was a 72% turnout, of which 98% voted yes to strike action. Since then, postal workers in the CWU have been on strike for fair pay in a fight that has been described by them, as the “biggest strike of the summer.” Undoubtedly, picket lines and rallies have provided an opportunity for society to be reminded of the punishing sacrifices and pain endured my so many workers and will continue to offer a sense of hope to many.

On August 26th Mick Lynch joined other general secretaries and activists, including Jo Grady (general secretary of the University and College Union) and Dave Ward (general secretary of the CWU). They addressed a crowd outside the Royal Mail building in Mount Pleasant, London and were joined by hundreds of supporters as well as strikers. Mount Pleasant was full of solidarity and positivity. We stood protesting the government and employers. We knew that we were there because workers have been neglected. Yet despite that, members of the CWU were dancing and singing to create a sense of happiness and hope for one another.

“We need a summer of solidarity, and a spring of solidarity if it needs to go through next year. The CWU, Unite, GMB, RMT and the others, we have to call on the entire movement [...] and not be dictated to by people from Eton and Harrow, telling us we have to give up our wages and give up our place.” Mick Lynch, at the CWU’s Mount Pleasant rally for fair pay on August 26th, 2022.

For the past twelve years Britain has been subject to neglect. Workers overworked and underpaid, public services crumbling and families close to, if not, starving, deprived of so many basic necessities. Patriotism goes beyond flag waving and empty promises. It is difficult to look at politics now and imagine a world where a bloke from Eton or Harrow does not try to explain to you your arm from your leg. Of course, I generalise here, there are some decent people from privileged backgrounds out there, but unfortunately the likes of Johnson make it hard to see past the entitlement and dangerous actions of a privileged few.

“Our members deserve a pay rise that rewards their fantastic achievements in keeping the country connected during the pandemic, but also helps them keep up during this current economic crisis.” Terry Pullinger, Deputy General Secretary of the CWU.

On August 31st, Bernie Sanders, the US senator from Vermont, joined striking workers at the ‘Save London’s Public Transport’ Rally in London. Hannah Carroll (CWU, East London Women’s Officer) spoke on behalf of the CWU at the rally: “In an attempt to break our strike they have offered the managers up to £1500 bonus as a reward if they keep their 100% attendance record up until the end of October [...] which is disgusting” and it is just that. The Enough is Enough campaign and the CWU have called out Royal Mail on their shameful record, reporting that Royal Mail made £758 million in profit (In what year?) and gave £400 million to shareholders and “rewarded” its executive team millions of pounds in bonuses. All of this whilst working people struggle to put food on the table; all of this after the workers at Royal Mail kept Britain going during the covid-19 pandemic and all of this after record levels of inflation have been announced.

So, what can you learn from your postie? The first thing is courage. To go on strike, when those in government are against you, when your employer is against you and when some members of the public are against you, to demand better and to risk so much, takes bravery. The second is kindness. Solidarity is at the heart of our Labour and trade union movement. If you go out and support them, they will support you. The final thing to learn is, quite simply: facts. Workers do not strike for fun, they are striking for a reason and their words are far more valuable than mine, those of newspapers or the television. So go and learn from them if you can. Go out and stand with your local postie, or railway worker, or with your local postie, or railway worker, or barrister or shop assistant when they strike. Go and stand with your union; go and join a union if you haven’t already and celebrate the beauty of solidarity. Because, if or when you need support, your union will be there to support you, as will the postie and the railway worker and the barrister and the shop assistant.

[Isabella Simpson is a first year Musician at Oriel College. She was OULC Co-Chair Elect this term.]