CWU welcomes new Postal Minister
6th September 2012
CWU leaders welcomed Postal Minister Jo Swinson (right) to her new job today and urged: "Let's work together to improve our industry."
The East Dunbartonshire MP was appointed to the position in Prime Minister David Cameron's Cabinet reshuffle this week and she replaces Norman Lamb, who was moved to the Department of Health.
Reacting to the change, CWU general secretary Billy Hayes (below left) said: "We congratulate Jo Swinson on her appointment and we welcome her to the role at what is a challenging time for the postal industry.
"It's going to be a busy time and we'll be hoping to meet with her soon.
"Clearly there are key areas where we'll disagree, but our hope is that we will also be able to work together to improve the postal sector," he added.
As well as postal issues, Ms Swinson will also have responsibility for employment and consumer affairs within the Business, Innovation and Skills Department (BIS), which is headed up by Secretary of State Vince Cable.
She arrives at BIS from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg's Parliamentary Office, where she has served as his PPS, and Ms Swinson has also been Liberal Democrat Party Spokeswoman for Women and Equality and has chaired her party's campaign for gender balance.
"On paper, the new Minister's track record on equalities looks like a big positive," Billy continued, adding: "We hope that this will mean a practical commitment to equality in the workplace too. The announcement on employment law next week could be an opportunity for the Minister to demonstrate this."
