17 October 2009 by Mark White - © Hellmail.co.uk

Postal workers on an online forum this week described CWU leader Billy Hayes as a "hopeless public speaker" and that he "should not be doing any interviews. He mumbles and can only remember one thing per interview so repeats it again and again."

One said "I feel ashamed that such an ineffective man can represent 120.000 people who rely on his every word that represents us."

The forum, Royalmailchat, which consistently attacks Royal Mail bosses and government has now moved on to attacking its own leader. If that were not enough, members of the public who logged on to ask why postal workers thought it was acceptable to hold the country to ransom, were also attacked. Like the 2007 strikes, some members of the site have made it clear that whether there is any public backing for them or not, they are determined to escalate the dispute even if it means the end of Royal Mail.

Bizarrely though, rather than supporting Hayes they have now chosen to mock him and ridicule his recent TV appearances, giving the impression that CWU leaders have only limited support from union members. To be fair this may not be a realistic snapshot of the strength of feeling amongst postal workers but such comments do little to boost the confidence of those entrusted to represent the 'rank and file' and absolutely nothing to boost the image of postal workers amongst the wider population.

Anyone unfortunate enough to stumble across the site would be forgiven for thinking that postal workers care nothing whatsoever for those affected by strike action, are only interested in their own wage packets and despise everyone - including the general public.

The site has in more recent months seen press coverage along similar lines. For any journalist looking to undermine the CWU, it has a wealth of content and with much of the press, government, RM bosses and even their own leaders subject to similar attacks, one assumes they have no friends at all, or at least should get out more.

I can't argue with that.

© Hellmail.co.uk (17 October 2009)

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