Privatisation could end rural post

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I am writing to raise the concerns of the Communication Workers' Union Western Counties Branch over the issue of privatisation of the Royal Mail.

Should this take place it would have a devastating effect upon a service that keeps communities together.

We can already see what privatisation would look like by the way that TNT delivers mail to homes in London. This experiment has meant that customers only receive deliveries every other day, cherry picking of service so that only profitable mail is delivered and the rise of zero-hour contracts for low-paid employees.

Should privatisation take place there is a distinct probability that deliveries to rural non-profitable areas will cease, the price of a stamp would increase to £1, the free service to our armed forces and those who have sight impairment would be under threat and thousands of jobs would be lost.

The Government claims this is required so that private companies could invest in the business which is not possible whilst Royal Mail is in the public sector, yet at the same time Rail Track, which is also owned by the government, is allowed to borrow £27 billion.

In addition, the company made a profit for taxpayers of £400 million. Could not this be reinvested into the postal service?

I would therefore ask that readers contact their MP to show their opposition to a privatised Royal Mail and to urge MPs of any party to stop the sale of Royal Mail.

Keith Franklin
Political officer
Communication Workers' Union Western Counties Branch