Parcelforce staff oppose Mail sale

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The Government has received a fresh blow to its controversial plans to privatise the Royal Mail after workers at Parcelforce massively rejected the move.

Almost 3,500 members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) voted in a consultative ballot by more than nine to one against any sell-off of the Royal Mail Group, of which they are a part.

The turnout was 72%, with 95% supporting the union's stance on pay and pensions at Parcelforce.

The union has warned it will ballot workers at Royal Mail over pay, pensions and other issues linked to privatisation if no agreement is reached soon.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Workers in Parcelforce have spoken loud and clear and added their voices to those of hundreds of thousands of others - they are against Royal Mail privatisation.

"There is a consistent message from both the workforce and the public that privatisation is not needed, not supported and not popular. It's time the Government looked at alternatives to privatisation - something we can help them with.

"They've got it wrong on this subject and the company's propaganda has failed to change the minds of those who work in the business."

Parcelforce said in a statement: "We have not received a formal pay claim from the CWU however talks are in place, with the focus on the scope and length of the deal. We are committed to concluding a deal as soon as possible so that employees can feel the benefit."

On privatisation, the company added: "The current legal position is that all the terms and conditions that apply to Royal Mail Group employees, including those working for Parcelforce Worldwide, would remain in place, on the same basis

"To provide further reassurance, Royal Mail Group wants to create a three-year, legally-binding contract with the CWU. Pay and protections could not be changed for the period of the contract without CWU agreement."

In a statement this evening, Parcelforce Worldwide said: "We note the outcome of the Communication Workers Union consultative ballot of its members on a range of issues. "Parclforce Worldwide treats that this as a consultative ballot by the CWU to understand its members views on a range of issues. It is not a ballot for industrial action."

[ebbzie]

"To provide further reassurance, Royal Mail Group wants to create a three-year, legally-binding contract with the CWU. Pay and protections could not be changed for the period of the contract without CWU agreement."

And after 3 years its goodbye to jobs. terms and conditions and hello minimum wage , zero hour contracts