Nationwide activity to defend postal jobs and services
17th December 2012
CWU leaders have used the first National Postal Workers Day to
reiterate the union's commitment to defending Royal Mail jobs
and working conditions and the universal service obligation.
General secretary Billy Hayes and deputy general
secretary Dave Ward visited sorting offices in
London to give their support to postal workers face-to-face.
Dave told an impromptu union meeting at the delivery office in Islington: "We understand there have been changes in the industry but we must fight for sustainable jobs in Royal Mail.
"Privatisation might see an initial investment but
within three of four years millions of pounds will be taken out of
the business to benefit shareholders leading to job cuts and a
severe down-grading of services.
"Postal workers connect businesses to each other. They are good for the economy."
Islington Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and
Emily Thornberry were at the centre, off Upper
Steet, to express their support.
Emily, who represents Islington South and Finsbury Park, said:
"I come here regularly because it's important for postal
workers to understand that they have the public's support for
the work they do.
"The post must continue to be delivered every day. I have
never met anyone who didn't think that basic postal service
should be owned by all of us."
Jeremy, who represents Islington North, said: "Postal
Workers day is a great opportunity to remind people of the value of
the universal postal service.
"We mustn't let private companies cherry pick all the profitable urban deliveries."
Billy Hayes visited postal workers in
Wimbledon, south London. He was joined by Labour MP Siobhan
McDonagh, who represents Mitcham and Morden, and Steve
Reed, who won last month's Croydon North by-election.
During a visit to Leigh delivery office in Greater
Manchester Andy Burnham, Labour Shadow Cabinet
member and MP for Leigh, Greater Manchester, said: "Six days a
week, 52 weeks a year, in heat waves, floods, and blizzards the
UK's postal workers are out on their walks, on the road, and in
mail centres ensuring that this vital public service delivers to
everyone, everywhere.
"The universal service guarantee - that gives us all access to quality postal services at the same price - must be defended against coalition plans to put it in jeopardy."
National Postal Workers' Day has been covered by the regional media across the TV and carries on this evening with a public meeting in Plymouth.
See our round up of news and pictures from across the UK. http://www.cwu.org/news-amp-pictures-from-around-the-uk.html
