The article on wsws.org criticizes the Communication Workers Union (CWU) leadership’s defense of their support for Daniel Kretinsky’s takeover of Royal Mail. The CWU leadership, specifically General Secretary Dave Ward and his deputy Martin Walsh, are accused of attempting to justify their position in the face of widespread opposition from rank-and-file union members.
The article asserts that the CWU leadership’s arguments are weak and fail to address the core concerns about Kretinsky’s intentions for Royal Mail, particularly the potential for job losses, wage cuts, and a decline in service quality. It argues that the union leadership prioritized maintaining a relationship with management over the interests of their members. The CWU’s acceptance of the takeover is portrayed as a betrayal of the union’s historic role in defending workers’ rights.
The article also alleges that the CWU leadership suppressed dissent within the union and ignored the democratic will of the members regarding the takeover. It suggests that the union leadership actively worked to prevent a more critical assessment of Kretinsky’s plans and downplayed the potential negative consequences for postal workers. The article implies that the CWU’s actions paved the way for a transfer of wealth to private hands at the expense of public service and the livelihoods of postal workers.
find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/05/05/rrwm-m05.html