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What was your fasting blood glucose? (full on chat)

I know that it would be better to support the union but he rather went off that idea when he asked for help with a problem that they could have at least advised, but they were totally uninterested in his situation and refused to help. The local posties also feel that the strike is about mainland issues and when they required support in their almost unique situation, again the union refused to consider their issues. There is little love lost there. They pay their union dues in the hope that maybe, one day, the mainland posties will at least acknowledge what happens here.

My father was a postman, starting in 1932 and staying with the Royal Mail until 1956. He was a loyal member of the union at that time (organised it in his local office, in fact. Even asked by the union to stand for Parliament on their ticket - he refused.) That was when posties had to work all hours, 3 deliveries a day, high days and holidays. He was also a boxing champion for the Post Office and a swimming champion. That was when it wasn't just a job. Rules were strict and pay was poor but they took pride in the service they provided. Staff welfare was pretty good then. Many of the posties here feel that they don't matter either to their employers or to their union. A bit less than half of the posties here are striking, although pretty well all of them are in the union.

Alistair is not very techie and doesn't use social media at all, or e-mail but was a bit put out when he turned up for work at the beginning of the strike and found that he hadn't been told that there was a strike at all. He has never been informed of the strike days because the announcements are all on Facebook. That's another reason why he is unhappy with the strike, if they can't even be bothered to let him know the dates. For a union for communication workers, it's a strange attitude.
 
Hi Ann,
What you said is common in England.

Recently quite a few under managers were sacked because they had outlived their usefulness.

They are planning on making the workers work more hours on dark winter evenings when they are fully loaded, than in mid summer when the need them less.
Walking round in the dark outside the normal working day is more risky for getting injured.

The management have repeatedly gone back on previous agreements
D.
 
I appreciate that things are different in the towns and cities on the mainland and that it's all about the greatest good for the majority, but the majority shouldn't ignore the fate of the minority. The local office has suffered all the cuts going as well. They no longer have an under manager and their manager is seriously stressed trying to cover routes that no longer exist, so the posties have to combine bits of other routes with their own. If someone goes off sick, it's a real drama to get their route covered. It's a country area as well, so it takes far longer to get around, plus they can't sort the mail until the plane brings it - or not, as the case may be. If not, it might come on the ferry around lunchtime. By that time, they've all gone with whatever there is of local mail, then start again with sorting when they get back. They are all quite used to working in the dark in the winter - that's pretty well most of the day here in winter. The manager has to decide quite often whether to send out parcels or first class mail to keep within the specified hours. Doing everything will mean overtime so first class mail is usually left behind on those days.

It is a huge problem, and, although I don't like strikes because I don't think the workers ever win long term and all they do is create hardship for themselves and their families, it is a shame that some feel that the solidarity is all on their side and is not reciprocated. If the union wins this strike, and it is a big if (much like the miners strike), all that will happen is that more will lose their jobs and the remainder will be forced to work harder for less (short hours in the summer not paid because of winter overtime so no money for the families in the summer, when the kids are home from school). Maybe I'm a defeatist, but I think I am a realist and they are on a hiding to nothing. I guess that's what Alistair thinks as well.

I still think 25-30 years service should count for something when it's during those years that damage is done to the physique of the posties.
 
I am shocked that this is happening. but sadly not surprised. It is not right at all.
 
Good morning everyone on a wonderful quiet start here in the dark and dangerous north. It’s phlebotomy time this morning, I shall be playing Tony Hancock and in a surprise twist, Dr MacTaggart will be played by Floella Benjamin. I know, a member of the House of Lords pretending to be a doctor. We looked at all the festive foods on offer by M&S yesterday - how we laughed! Probably going to be sea kale and line caught crabs again unless we go for the cheaper option and order in from Fortnum’s. Art bit - moving along. Bin day today and it’s a double dip day - that garden bin feels heavy. Mrs Miggins has been playing Percy Thrower again. Have a wonderful day if you can. I shall drink koffy and then get off for my blood letting.


 
Yesterday the winds were gale force in the afternoon and it poured down again.
Today a dry calm day with sun in prospect and no more than 10deg c all day.
So I shall be off to fill up the Fabia, get some potatoes and pay the council tax at the paypoint.

Yes I can't give up on a baked potato every day and the pots from a local farm are very tasty.

Oh and yes I don't drive at night unless I have to and certainly not with one eye.
atb
D.
 
The arch draws one in to an earlier world. Excellent.
D.
 
Art bit...something mysterious...
Enjoy your blood letting day @dunelm
 
It was bad yesterday afternoon.

Enjoy your baked potato @lindisfel
 
Good national bin day Morening Ladies and Gentlemen and those disgruntled ones or severals. This is the thread to air your grievances along with your blood sugars, me, me’s and myself are far too confused to do left or right wing.

Bloods this morning were 5.3

Later this morning I have been told I am being taken to the local supermarket, oh deep joy, bet I get banished to the koffy shop within 5 minutes. My track record this morning is good, I have been informed I am an “illegitimate person in the mornings”, what’s wrong with humming the dambusters theme running round the lounge with your arms outstretched, Mrs J is a trifle tetchy in the mornings.

Hugs where required, stay safe all.
 
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