Lib Dems fight for post office investment

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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THIS IS A PARTY POLITICAL POST

The Liberal Democrats have set out a series of proposals in response to the Government’s strongly criticised plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail.

The Lib Dem Conference today passed a series of proposals on what should be done with Royal Mail. Whilst they support the idea of part-privatisation, they proposals greatly differ from those proposed by the Government. They argue for the importance of staff-ownership to any modernisation, and of making sure both the Post Office and the Royal Mail are able to compete effectively.

See the full text of the motion below:


Conference notes with concern:

A. The continuing failure of the Labour Government to support the Post Office network.

B. The closure by the Labour Government of 4,000 branches since it came to power.

C. The Government's proposals for legislation on Royal Mail and Post Offices which fail to offer significant investment for Post Offices; fail to establish shared ownership of Royal Mail with Royal Mail staff and fail to give customers a proper voice to hold the executives of Royal Mail and Post Office Limited to account

D. The continuing need for investment in and modernisation of Royal Mail in order that it can compete in a twenty-first century market.

Conference reaffirms its belief that the policy motion passed in March 2006, Securing Royal Mail and the Post Office' offers the best outcomes for customers, taxpayers, Royal Mail staff, and postmasters and mistresses.

Conference further reaffirms its belief that these outcomes can best be secured through:



1. Separating Post Office Ltd from Royal Mail Group and retaining Post Office Limited in the public sector, giving post offices the opportunity to develop new business.



2. Establishing an investment fund for the Post Office network in order to achieve:

a) branch modernisation.

b) providing start-up and investment capital to assist sub postmasters and mistresses in building profitable businesses.

c) the provision of training.

d) the promotion of services which sub-post offices could provide on behalf of local authorities and central government.

e) to allow the investment fund to support the opening of new Post Office branches where there are serious gaps in the existing network.

f ) the creation of a postbank to deliver financial services for all and particularly the financially excluded.

3. Establishing a shared ownership model for Royal Mail with a majority of shares divided equally between the government and a Trust for Royal Mail staff.

4. Ensuring that Royal Mail staff have a full opportunity to participate in the running of the company as part owners and through a staff council.

5. A statutory guarantee to protect the universal service obligation for six days a week throughout the United Kingdom.

6. Giving the Regulator, the power to place a levy on other operators who do not undertake the universal service obligation, to pay towards its cost.

7. Giving the body representing customers the ability to hold the Executive of Royal Mail and Post Office Limited to account.

Conference calls on Liberal Democrats to continue to campaign against the dismal failure of both Labour and the Conservatives to protect the Post Office network and ensure Royal Mail is able to compete effectively. Conference calls on Liberal Democrats to oppose any legislation which does not deliver these outcomes.

[smokerjim]

I don't know if I understand it right, but are the Lib Dems suggesting a staff ownership scheme similar to John Lewis ( that's what it looks like to me ). If so, then it's a marvellous idea in principle, cos our opinions would be sought and acted upon, especially over any major flaws in the business ( like too many managers ) and everybody's bonus would be based upon profit.....so if RM had to spend £50m hiring posties, putting hours in to offices and getting equipment and it resulted in net profit, we'd all get some ( as opposed to the current system where cuts make savings & savings make smaller budgets & smaller budgets make unachieveable targets & unachieveable targets make no bonuses - except for executives ). In short, the John Lewis system has been proven to work.....and sometimes the bonuses have been quite big ( every year since 2000, every employee has recieved over one month's pay as bonus )

One major flaw is that is the principle - and it works in a private enterprise organisation ( that can't be meddled by with by successive Govts ) that came about through the philanthropy of one man. Philanthropists in company boardrooms are few and far between at the moment, plus how much would it take for the Govt of the day to get us to sell our stake ( and then privatise us in full )? If we went back after the last strikes as cheaply as we did, then would six months wages make the majority sell out? Three months? What's to say the Lib Dems wouldn't put a few caveats to their advantage into the Bill? Or any amendment warping the spirit of the Bill out of recognition ( smoking was supposed to remain in pubs right up to the last reading, when an amendment was put in for a total ban.....no pundit reckoned it would get through, and lo and behold....I can't enjoy a pint anymore )

I like the idea - but I doubt we'll ever see it, and if we do, it'll only stay for as long as the Lib Dems get voted out - then it opens the door for a conventional privatisation.

[Big Daz]

It would scare the shite out of Crozier, we cant have government appointed topbrass being exposed as half wits now can we?

[IWW Fellow Worker]

It would scare the shite out of Crozier, we cant have government appointed topbrass being exposed as half wits now can we?

Oh, I don't know mate. Where else would clerks and office boys given the title 'Manager' except Royal Mail.

[borders]

It would scare the shite out of Crozier, we cant have government appointed topbrass being exposed as half wits now can we?

Oh, I don't know mate. Where else would clerks and office boys given the title 'Manager' except Royal Mail.

dont forget the strike breakers, several of them are now managers.