Harrow and District CWU » Post Office

Sad Day For UK Postal Service

admin — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 19:06:30 +0000

Following the passage of the Postal Services Bill through parliament today (Thursday) the Communication Workers Union warns that the government has put services and post offices at risk in favour of private capital.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: “Today is a sad day for the UK postal service. The days are numbered for the post office network, postal deliveries and services as we know them.

“How the government can call breaking up and flogging the Royal Mail ‘securing the future of postal services’ beggars belief. This government is destroying public services and the fabric of our economy and society. They are taking a wrecking ball to anything in sight.

“Our campaign against privatisation will continue. A buyer is yet to be found and despite the uncertainties ahead the CWU will be here throughout to fight for the jobs of postal workers and the services they provide to customers and communities across the UK.”

CWU TV News | April 2011

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:44:25 +0000

Emma Howard brings you the latest headlines from around the CWU this month. CWU TV reports from the TUC March for the Alternative March and Rally in London and from Brighton as part of CWU’s Keep The Post Public. We bring you full details on the London Mail Centre Closures and Royal Mail ColleagueShare Scheme together and the new agreement between CWU and POL over pay and the future of the Crown network.

CWU TV News | Keep The Post Public – Brighton

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:38:38 +0000

CWU TV News were out and about again in March for CWU’s fight to Keep the Post Public. Over 300 people turned out in support of the campaign, on a sunny weekend in Brighton and marched through the town centre. Here Green Party MP Caroline Lucas along with CWU’s Billy Hayes and Dave Ward explained why it is important to stop the governments plans of privatisation

CWU TV News | Keep The Post Public – Beeston, Nottingham

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:23:18 +0000

CWU TV News were out and about again in February and joined Robin Hood and his merry union men in CWU’s fight to Keep the Post Public. Over 500 people turned out in support of the campaign, despite the damp weather, and marched from the Royal Mail Centre through the town to the New Venture Social Club. Here Labour MP Lillian Greenwood along with CWU’s Billy Hayes and Dave Ward and explained why it is important to stop the governments plans of privatisation.

CWU TV News | February 2011

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:12:48 +0000

Welcome to the new look CWU TV News bringing you the latest stories from around the communications industry. This month includes CWU’s ongoing Keep the Post Public Campaign, impending strike action at Crown Post Offices, Isle of Man Post Ofiice and iPSL, CWU save BT Barrow Call Centre and Billy Hayes is re-elected as CWU General Secretary. Look out for new icons on screen where you can watch more indepth interviews on CWU TV and in the latest edition of eVoice.

CWU TV News | March For The Alternative: Saturday 26th March 2011

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:02:43 +0000

TUC’s March For The Alternative National March and Rally will take place on Saturday 26th March in London. All trade unionists along with other organisations and groups will come together to stand up against public spending cuts and the Conservative and Lib Dem Governement. CWU Senior Deputy General Secretary Tony Kearns explains why it is important that all CWU members, as well as activists, attend this vital key event.

CWU TV News | Keep The Post Public – Birmingham

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:58:43 +0000

Birmingham saw over 500 postal workers, labour supports and other trade union activist come together to march against privatisation of Royal Mail as part of CWU’s Keep The Post Public campaign. Speakers included TUC Midlands Regional Secretary Cheryl Pidgeon, local MP Jack Dromey together with CWU’s Dave Ward and Midland Regional Secretary Lee Barron. To keep up to date with campaign events and the latest videos, please visit the blog at www.keepthepostpublic.org.uk

CWU TV News | Keep The Post Public – Kingston

admin — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:55:28 +0000

CWU’s Keep The Post Public Campaign came to the Royal Borough of Kingston in Southwest London this month, with over 1000 people including postal workers, friends, family and local supporters marching through the town in their fight to stop the privatisation of Royal Mail. Speakers included …. along with CWU’s Billy Hayes and Dave Ward. And the rally even got the royal seal of approval from “Her Majesty The Queen”

Keep the Post Public – Abderdeen day of action

admin — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:44:13 +0000

Image via Wikipedia

The Grampian and Shetland branch will be taking the Keep the Post Public Coalition takes to the streets of Aberdeen this month for a day of action and to raise awareness about the campaign against the privatisation of Royal Mail.

Date: Saturday 26th February 2011

Time: Assemble at 11am for a march to TUC in Adelphi for sandwiches and social

Venue: Meet outside St. Nicholas Marks and Spencer

It’s your Royal Mail and it’s not for sale. All welcome.

For more information download the KTPP Aberdeen day of action poster or contact the local branch on 01224 870261 or email

Keep The Post Public

admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:18:13 +0000

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

What’s At Stake

The Post Office is a vital part of the local community. But the government’s plans to privatize the post office will cut or increase the cost of services which small businesses, communities and vulnerable groups rely on. In particular we believe three things will happen if the Postal Services Bill is passed in its current form:

Mail services cut

Royal Mail delivers and collects to 28m UK addresses for six days a week for a single stamp price (uniform tariff). This is called the universal postal service; it is expensive to provide, particularly in rural areas. The Government has been keen to stress this service will be protected under a privatised Royal Mail.

However, the reality is that in order to make Royal Mail attractive to investors, it will need to cut the cost of providing those services. That is why the bill compels the proposed postal services regulator, Ofcom, to review the universal postal service within 18 months. Such a review, with the need to make Royal Mail attractive to investors as a backdrop, is hardly likely to determine that the current universal service minimum requirements should become more onerous! At least nine clauses in the Postal Services Bill allow the regulator to amend or vary the application of the minimum requirements that make up the universal service. Such sell-offs are very rare internationally, but in Holland the minimum requirements were reduced following privatisation.

Increase in mail prices

The Postal Services Bill allows for Ofcom to make an assessment of the financial burden of the universal service on Royal Mail and to make recommendations for how to alleviate this burden. While the Bill requires that prices be affordable — this leaves wide scope for price increases. Already the Regulator has approved a huge 5p rise in stamp prices next year. Still higher prices would be deeply unpopular and run counter to public perception of what it is to protect the universal service.

Local Post Offices under threat

There is no guarantee in the Postal Services Bill that Royal Mail will continue to use the Post Office as the primary retail outlet for some or all of its products. A privatised Royal Mail could choose to use other outlets such as supermarkets or high street chains. This would deprive the post office network of a third of its income, and would put thousands of post offices at risk, especially in rural areas where post offices are particularly struggling. Fewer post offices in these areas mean that vulnerable groups in those communities will have to travel further to get access to vital services.