Call to back postal staff

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POSTAL workers are taking to the streets of Bridlington in a
battle to save local services.
Petitions calling for the scrapping of proposals to sell off 30% of Royal Mail to help balance the books will soon be appearing in local shops, pubs and prominent public places.

Felix McCormick – representative of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) for the Bridlington, Bempton and Flamborough area – said its 61 local members needed the public's support.

He said: "We do not think this is the way forward for modernisation of the service.

"It will lead to job losses and in our view a further decline in local postal services, especially in rural areas and towns like Bridlington.

"We have already lost same day and second delivery services, the mail is arriving later and businesses and the public are worried about this."

During the next couple of months Bridlington workers will be giving their support to the national campaign and want local people to sign petitions against privatisation which will be sent to the Government before it takes its decision.

"The CWU has already contacted 130 MPs, including our MP Greg Knight, seeking their support, now we want the public to back us," said Mr McCormick, 53, who has worked for the post office in Bridlington for 20 years and has been union representative for seven.

The union believes modernisation can be achieved without part privatisation.

Investment funding exists, and it believes the Government should give it financial support to help clear a £7 billion pension deficit.

"They are throwing money at the banks, why not the Royal Mail?" he said.

According to Lord Mandelson selling off 30% of Royal mail is the only way to ensure post continues to be delivered to 99% of homes the UK in the future.

Also, the pension deficit and the rise of email mean the service will never be profitable in its current form.