LTB 011/17 – Post Office Announcement / POL Dispute
No: 011/17
10th January 2017
TO: ALL BRANCHES
Dear Colleague
Post Office Announcement / POL Dispute
All Branches will be aware that the Post Office has today announced a further 37 Crown offices are to close and be franchised, alongside cutting 127 Financial Specialist roles across the Crown network.
In the run up to Christmas, the Union had warned publically that a further announcement was imminent and this in itself was one of the reasons why the company was not prepared to engage in meaningful negotiations to resolve all issues involved in our dispute.
In response to today’s announcement, the Union issued the attached press release condemning the actions of the company and the Government, whilst making it clear that we will not accept this position and will now step up our political and industrial campaigning to fight for the future of the Post Office.
Furthermore, the Union has also condemned the Government for completely ignoring the views of the public by allowing today’s announcement to take place before the outcome of its own consultation on the future of the Post Office is known.
As part of the Union stepping up our campaigning, we will now look at fresh ways of placing more pressure on the company and Government to change direction. This must also involve exploring alternative models to franchising and continuing to push forward the concept of a Postbank alongside new products and services.
The Postal Executive will be called fully discuss these approaches and we expect to make further announcements shortly. A communication is being prepared to member’s home addresses explaining the Union’s position.
Finally, we have provided the links to some of today’s media coverage including the associated statement from the Labour Party.
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Post Office to cut more than 420 jobs 10 January 2017 – The Guardian |
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Consett and Billingham affected by Post Office changes 10 January 2017 – ITV.com |
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The Post Office is closing 37 branches – causing 300 job losses 10 January 2017 – Metro.co.uk |
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Post Office ‘to close more Crown branches’ 10 January 2017 – BBC News – England |
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300 jobs to go as Post Office closes major offices across the country 10 January 2017 – Wales Online |
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Post Office to close 37 branches and cut 300 staff jobs 10 January 2017 – The Independent |
Any industrial enquiries on the content of this LTB please forward to Terry Pullinger, DGSP and Andy Furey, Assistant Secretary. Political enquiries should be sent to gsoffice@cwu.org.
Yours sincerely
Dave Ward
General Secretary