LTB 057/19 - POST OFFICE: CROWN OFFICE FRANCHISING (RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS) AND COMMUNITY CAMPAIGNING

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LTB 057/19 - POST OFFICE: CROWN OFFICE FRANCHISING (RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS) AND COMMUNITY CAMPAIGNING

No. 057/2020

4th February 2020



Dear Colleagues

POST OFFICE: CROWN OFFICE FRANCHISING (RECENT ANNOUNCEMENTS) AND COMMUNITY CAMPAIGNING

Following the General Election result, we are expecting the Post Office to continue with its programme of franchising Crown Offices which is seemingly gaining momentum after the period of “purdah”. This is not surprising, particularly as this government has for many years fully supported the franchising programme despite our community campaigning activities and political pressure through our work with Labour and other opposition parties.

Previously, when the Post Office has pursued a full-on privatisation programme, they have announced Crowns for franchising in big numbers (although via “Tranches”). When it came to franchising multiple Crown Offices to one specific retailer such as WHSmith this decision was announced in full. However their strategy appears to have now changed and instead they are attacking our members’ jobs and the Crown Office network with weekly announcements on a piecemeal basis.

The Post Office has in 2020 announced nine franchises. The first five Crowns below were informed on Tuesday 7th January, the second three Crowns were told on Tuesday 14th January, and Great Portland Street on 4th February, impacting upon a total of 75 members.



Community Campaigning & Public Meetings

As a consequence of the Post Office’s renewed activity, the Postal Executive has unanimously endorsed the reinvigoration and stepping up of Community Campaigning over the coming weeks and months. Accordingly, Branches are encouraged to do everything possible to galvanise community and political support for our campaigns.

Three web articles have been published following the Post Office’s announcements and can be accessed by using the following links:



Andy Furey slams Post Office’s ‘privatisation obsession’ https://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-mldyddl-jtfltzjh-i/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Members’ distress as more Crowns face the axe https://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-mldyddl-jtfltzjh-d/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Another ‘Bad-news Tuesday’ as management axe Great Portland St Crown Post Office https://emails.cwu.org/t/d-l-mldyddl-jtfltzjh-h/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Post Office’s policy is to announce their franchising plans to the impacted members at the Tuesday morning TeamTalk. Our Reps, wherever possible, try to keep their diaries free on Tuesday mornings in order to attend the impacted Crowns and support the members at this difficult time.

Following the franchising announcement, the Rep will contact the Branch Secretary as a priority with a view to arranging a meeting to discuss instigating an effective community campaign which includes political lobbying under the auspices of “Save our Post Office”.

When faced with franchising announcements, Branch Secretaries will be sent an email from my Department informing them of the latest development on the day. We will also send electronically a campaign pack containing key messages and outlining 8 steps for Branches to build an effective community based campaign. Due to the Post Office’s new piecemeal approach to franchising, Mole Meade, Postal Executive member, is in the process of updating the campaign pack to ensure it is current and reflects this new tactic for privatisation. The refreshed campaign pack will be available both electronically and in hard copy as soon as possible. In the meantime, Branches can use the current campaign packs with some fine tuning to reflect the name of the franchise partner etc. If any assistance is required, please contact Mole Meade who is co-ordinating community campaigns on behalf of the Postal Executive – mmeade@cwu.org.

Postal Executive members are very happy, where possible, to support Branches and Reps at a Public Meeting arranged to oppose the job losses and closure of the Crown Office. My Department will also support Branches in meeting their constituency MP in Westminster if required. Please contact lsheridan@cwu.org if you require assistance in this regard.

Yours sincerely



Andy Furey

Assistant Secretary