As the union representing the employees of the Royal Mail IT function we are disappointed that Robin
Dargue has gone to press at this stage of the reorganisation (Royal Mail delivers changes).

Royal Mail has sailed very close to the wind during this restructuring and has only just stayed on the right side of the requirements of redundancy legislation.

Being critical of a workforce that, based on Dargue's own assessment of the situation, has been starved of leadership, investment and skills development is easy to do, and is consistent with highly-paid recruits to companies. Come in, make changes and move on before anybody realises. We will see how long it is before he moves on.Unite members in IT at Royal Mail have been working hard to keep up with business requirements. They have been doing what was asked of them, often in difficult and uncertain circumstances.

There has been a lack of  investment but despite this the feedback from internal customers of Royal Mail has been consistently positive. They are concerned about the loss of individuals who have been delivering their needs for some time, and that there will be an impact on the service. Casting people adrift, as Royal Mail is, is simply not appropriate.

The trade union Unite is working hard to ensure that those of our members who want to stay in Royal Mail have every opportunity to do so and we will hold Dargue to his word that he will  invest in the right talent.

Unite remains opposed to any form of compulsory  redundancy and even a hint of this happening will create a backlash from the union.

Given the expense  incurred in consultancies  to undertake this work, the cost of voluntary redundancies and the cost incurred in recruiting and paying new, fully equipped employees, a cost benefit analysis is likely to result in a situation where Royal Mail loses.

Brian Scott, Assistant national secretary, Unite CMA