An overwhelming 93% of UK Crown Post Office workers have voted in favour of strike action in adispute over pay, job security and the future of the post office network.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is now encouraging Post Office Ltd (POL), part of theRoyal Mail Group, to return to talks and present a realistic pay offer for counter staff whichcould avert strike action.
The Post Office has not offered any pay rise for this year. Paula Vennells, the Post Office’sManaging Director, urged the CWU last month to withdraw its ballot notification. “We know having nopay increase is a very difficult message for our staff. The unfortunate reality, however, is thatthe Crown Post Office network is loss-making,” she said. “Any form of industrial action will onlyharm our customers and do nothing to resolve the urgent need to reverse the losses in the Crownnetwork.”
Almost 4,000 staff across 373 Crown post offices were balloted for strike action.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: “Post Office workers have sent a clear message tomanagement in this ballot that they are not prepared to take double standards when it comes to pay.However, this ballot is about more than pay; it is the job security of our members and the futureof the Crown office network which is also at stake.”
“We want to see a strong network of Crown offices, but the government and the company appear tobe hiding the fact that they are planning a programme of further Post Office closures.”
Andy Furey, CWU assistant secretary, stressed the union’s willingness to negotiate with PostOffice. “Although we have a mandate to take strike action, we continue to be responsible and ourdoors are open for POL to talk to us about a fair offer for our members.”
The CWU said that fresh talks are due to begin and that it will continue to negotiate a fair anddecent pay and job security agreement over the coming days. If the two parties fail to reach anagreement, the CWU members are likely to take strike action by the end of March.
According to the CWU, Post Office Ltd made increased profits of £72 million last year, awarded a2.25% pay rise to managers and increased directors’ remuneration by 21% (worth £3.9 millionin 2009-10). However, POL has pleaded poverty and refused to consider a pay rise for counter staff,the union claimed.
“The company is also refusing to extend a guarantee on the number of crown offices – currentlyat 373 – which implies that further closures are being planned,” the CWU added.
The 373 Crown office branches comprise 3% of the British Post Office network of around 11,800branches. The remaining 97% of branches are privately run by sub-postmasters and agents, and wouldnot be affected by any industrial action.
