CWU and Pensioners demonstrate against UK post office closures

This week, the Communication Workers Union and the National Pensioners Convention held a joint demonstration outside Trafalgar Square Post Office against closures and franchising.

Demonstrators were concerned about the Government’s decision to fund the closure of 2,500 sub-post offices nationwide by the end of 2008, and Post Office Ltd’s decision to enter into franchise partnerships with WHSmith at 70 locations. Postwatch came under criticism too, with Kate Hoey MP accusing us of not doing enough to oppose the changes.

Postwatch wants a post office network which is sustainable and not subject to unplanned closures, and which allows customers reasonable access to services. We recognize that customers’ habits are changing and that the network must change with them. Because of this, we are scrutinizing Post Office Ltd’s proposals before every public consultation of the closure programme. Our aim is to minimise customer inconvenience and encourage local input on proposals.

While we understand customers’ concerns about franchising, it is a means of continuing to provide services, often with increased opening hours. Moreover, by reducing operational costs in this way, Post Office Ltd should be better able to create much-needed stability for its network.