Save Mount Pleasant Nursery
Since 1994, Mount
Pleasant's Childsplay nursery has provided affordable
high-quality care for pre-school age children of Royal Mail staff,
allowing employees to work their shifts safe in the knowledge that
qualified professionals are caring for their children.
The nursery had been under threat of closure, but, following a campaign to save it and lengthy negotiations between the CWU and Royal Mail, Childsplay has been granted a five-month reprieve while detailed discussions take place to secure its long-term future.
An interim agreement has committed the union, the company and childcare provider Kiddy Care to this process, a development that CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward has described as "excellent news for our members and their children.
"There's still a long way
to go to ensure the nursery's long-term survival, but it's
a huge step forward that we're all working towards the same
aim," he added.
The union's London Region secretary Jim Kirwan pointed out: "Our campaign is by no means over - it's now in a new phase."
Issues that the forthcoming talks are likely to focus on include assessing present and future demand, funding, running costs and the range of services of provided.
"Obviously, it's still important that people sign our petition," Jim continued, "but we also want our Royal Mail members in London to answer the three simple questions below which are aimed at identifying demand for the nursery from parents of pre-school age children."
And CWU national equality officer Linda Roy agreed, explaining: "We now have an opportunity to save the nursery - an opportunity we didn't have before.
"So, if you're a
London Royal Mail employee with pre-school age children, please
contact Jim, me or Roger Charles at Mount Pleasant branch let us
know if you would be interested in making use of Mount Pleasant
nursery if a place was available."
Mount Pleasant CWU branch secretary Roger Charles explains the importance of the nursery: "It's a unique facility. It offers affordable childcare for shift workers as it's open from 6am to 10pm. It's the only facility like it in Royal Mail and makes a huge difference to the lives of working families. We know that some people will have to resign if this nursery closes." Subsidised childcare is a vital asset for London postal workers. For many Royal Mail staff it's the difference between being able to work or having to give up in order to care for young children.
Download the Save Mount Pleasant Nursery leaflet to distribute amongst friends and family and get them involved in supporting this worthy campaign!
If you are a Royal Mail employee in London please answer the questions below to help us gather feedback.
Contact us:
Jim Kirwan, CWU London Region secretary
(020) 7336 8371
jimkirwan@btconnect.com
cwulrc@cwulondon.org
Roger Charles, Mount Pleasant CWU branch secretary
(020) 7239 2214
mountpleasantinternational@btconnect.com
roger_charles@hotmail.com
Equality Department:
Tel: 0208 971 7238
Email: lroy@cwu.org
