Stamp out Consignia name, says Postal Union
The main postal workers’ union tonight called for a boycott of the name Consignia as part of a campaign to “reclaim our Post Office.”
The Communication Workers Union said the name had been foisted on the public by “corporate spin doctors” and should be dropped.
The union campaign followed comments by Consignia chairman Allan Leighton, who said he wanted to change the name, which was mentioned every time he talked to people.
The Post Office spent about #500,000 on the new name when it was launched last March to mark the granting of commercial freedom.
CWU general secretary Billy Hayes urged newspapers, radio stations and other media outlets to revert to calling the organisation by its “real name” of the Post Office.
“I’m sure the public will welcome the media ignoring this name which has been foisted on us all by slick media men, big corporations and corporate spin doctors.
“Every time reporters write the name Consignia, they have to add that they are talking about the Post Office.”
Mr Hayes added that Consignia stood for a “profit-centred declining competition-ridden low-wage outfit in constant crisis, while the Post Office stood for service, decent wages and conditions”.
An official at consumer watchdog Postwatch said: “If they want to be in touch with their customers they should change the name because it is not popular.
“Every time someone writes about the name Consignia it is described as silly or ridiculous.
“They have the best brand names in Britain with the Royal Mail and the Post Office, although obviously there would be a question about how much it would cost to change the name back.”
A spokeswoman for Consignia said: “There is no intention of scrapping the name.”
