Consumer Focus report shows post office Locals are failing, says CWU
11th May 2012
CWU welcomes findings in the new report (Open all hours?) by postal watchdog Consumer Focus which show the shortcomings of the controversial Locals model for post offices. However, the UK's biggest postal union says it is unfortunate that the report doesn't examine the financial realities of running a post office as this leaves postmasters in the dark.
CWU general secretary Billy Hayes, said: "The Consumer Focus report confirms our concerns that the Locals model threatens the post office network and the services which communities rely on. The report draws attention to the failings of the model, but we are less optimistic that it can be made to work than the watchdog. The lack of proof that financially the model is viable for postmasters is disappointing as it leaves this central question unanswered.
"High quality post office services are unlikely to be delivered by a retailer whose primary focus is the quick and efficient sale of his or her retail products - whether that's petrol, cigarettes or groceries. Their eye will be on the bottom line and staff costs will be crucial to this, especially with the ambition of longer opening hours.
"Our postmaster members are concerned at the economic viability of the Locals model which will ultimately determine whether it works or not and with it how many post offices survive this major disruption to the network. Ultimately it could lead to significant closures or wholesale dumbing-down of post office services."
The Consumer Focus report - Open all hours? - says that "significant ongoing improvements are needed if consumers are to benefit from these changes, with emphasis on driving up service standards and the consistency and reliability of service provision - and to make improvements to the privacy, branch layout and product range on offer."
The Locals model means using retail outlets like petrol stations and convenience stores to provide minimal post office services from existing cash desks instead of having separate facilities which are more private and expert.
CWU is the largest union in the postal sector representing postmasters and Post Office staff along with drivers, delivery, sorting and support staff.
Read the Consumer Focus report in full: Open all hours?
