An emergency motion pledging full support and solidarity for our union’s members in their dispute with Royal Mail has won unanimous support from delegates attending the North West Labour Party Conference, reports CWU regional secretary Carl Webb.

“The motion highlighted Royal Mail’s plans to break up the company, threaten the USO and breach the Four Pillars agreement – and the response from the floor was superb,” he says. Mark Walsh, the union’s Parcelforce organiser for the region and a member of our Greater Mersey Branch, moved the proposition, which explained to delegates how the company’s actions and attitude had left the CWU with no choice but to announce plans for a nationwide industrial action ballot.

Mark Walsh, the union’s Parcelforce organiser for the region and a member of our Greater Mersey Branch, moved the proposition, which explained to delegates how the company’s actions and attitude had left the CWU with no choice but to announce plans for a nationwide industrial action ballot.

“He also asked everyone present to take the message back to their own members to respect our picket lines in the event of strike action taking place and also to refuse to do any work which may be redirected as a result of any action,” adds Carl.

CWU Rep Brian Parsons seconded the Motion on-behalf of his CLP Birkenhead.

“After a great debate that saw delegates go to the rostrum to praise CWU members for not crossing other union’s picket lines, conference unanimously carried the emergency motion and gave its full support to the CWU calling on all North West CLPs, Affiliates, Labour Groups, Councilors and MPs to contact local CWU postal branches to express support; to mobilise support for future picket lines and to make clear statements in support of CWU members in Royal Mail on social media and other platforms”.

And MPs, Councillors and delegates were also keen to show their support and visited the CWU stall to have their pictures taken with I Support My Postal Worker boards.

Carl concludes: “It was fantastic to win such strong support from the rest of our movement and I hope other CWU regions and branches will also take our case out into the wider movement.

“The more support we can get, the better our chances of victory.”

Click on this link for a report on the conference Labour NW 0220