Post Office Consultation
Billy Hayes, General Secretary of the Communication Workers Union has lent his support to London Mayor Ken Livingstone, who intends to begin a legal challenge over the closure of 171 post offices in the capital by Post Office Ltd.
Hayes has also been critical of the way in which competition has been introduced to the UK’s postal market and has been urging the government to carry out a full review of postal deregulation. Of the closures, Mr Hayes said:
“This is a proportionate response to scandalous behaviour by Post Office Ltd which seems determined to strip the country of Post Offices. The consultation has been completely inadequate, failing to seriously consider individual cases and the effect that so many closures will have on the network as a whole. London has been hit particularly hard by the closure programme and we fully support Ken Livingstone’s actions to defend this vital public asset.”
The Communication Workers Union is currently balloting union members over changes to the pension provision at Royal Mail which could see final retirements move from age 60 to 65. Many workers claim that the physical nature of the job plus an increasing workload, would mean that many would not be fit enough to work to the age of 65. Hayes indicated that the CWU, on advice from members, may step up their campaign.
