22nd October 2009
LABOUR CANDIDATE BACKS WORKERS’ FIGHT TO SAVE POST OFFICE
“The Post Office is a national institution that is much loved by the British people, and I believe we should all back Post Office staff fighting to save it from what looks very much like wilful destruction”.
This was the view of Labour Parliamentary Candidate Donna Hutton as the first postal strike for two years got underway.
“Some people try to make out this is a dispute over pay. It isn’t – it is for the survival of a vital public service,” continued Ms Hutton.
“Several years ago the staff, through their trade union CWU, agreed with management to modernisation to make the Post Office as efficient as possible. But the aggressive management are only interested in cuts and will not discuss restructuring with the staff of the Post Office.
“If people criticise staff for striking, they should realise it is the last resort, they do not want to lose money or risk future business.
“Remember it was not the staff who closed thousands of Post Office branches; it was not the staff who cut Sunday collections; it was not the staff who ended the second delivery.
“I hope to be MP for Clwyd West, which covers towns like Colwyn Bay, Abergele and Ruthin. But it also covers vast, thinly populated rural areas. If we allow the Post Office to be cut to ribbons by management, who will deliver to these areas? Private companies are only interested in cherry picking the really profitable urban postal services.”
“So I hope people will put the blame for any disruption where it belongs – with a management who will not even go unconditionally to talks at ACAS, the conciliation service, as they are just intent on cuts.”
ENDS.