I thought I'd chuck my hat into the ring: I work in the private sector and on a largely commission based pay structure. I have NO benefits, work fairly long hours and am expected to deliver at least £110k in profit to the company each year in order to keep my job. When I want a payrise I am told - work harder, for longer. If I don't like it, do you know what I can do...that's right, nothing other than find another job.
Why should postment expect to have ever improving salaries and working conditions that stay the same regardless of the world moving on around them? No one in my industry can expect a pay rise like clockwork every year; you get pay rises when you have done a job to warrant it. This round of strikes will only damage the Postmen's own futures. Already many companies are opting to move to a service that they can rely on, which will further decrease RM's market share and increase pressure to save money. Unfortunately the detailed reasons why they are striking are irrelevant because it is the public perception of them that counts and that perception is at an all time low.
Go to work, do what you are paid to do, be glad you have a job to complain about.
