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Staff vote to strike over PO switch
Franchise move sparks protest
COUNTER staff have voted to take strike action over the switch
of Kentish Town post office to a franchise operation.
Services at the Kentish Town Road branch, due to become a Shieldex
franchise from February 13, will be disrupted for at least one
day as clerical members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU)
across north London take to the streets in protest at the privatisation
of post offices.
This week counter staff in north London recorded a 78 per cent
vote in favour of industrial action after 500 members were balloted.
A date for the action has still to be set.
Union leaders say the strike will take place on a date close
to the handover to Shieldex.
Counter staff face being moved to other offices or forced to
take on new contracts under Shieldex.
They fear job losses and pay cuts and say they are concerned
about the office closing after the franchisee’s minimum
contract runs out.
Ian Ward, CWU national executive council member, said: “We’re
very pleased with the vote. It shows members aren’t prepared
to accept continual closures of Crown offices.”
The ballot was taken after offices in Mill Hill and Hendon,
as well as Kentish Town, were faced with privatisation.
Mr Ward said: “Our members have had enough of Crown office
closures. It’s a public concern industry – run by
the government for the people – and by putting it in private
hands they’re taking it away from the people.”
Post Office spokeswoman Martine Munby said: “A relatively
small number of post offices will be affected because the vast
majority of our branches are not directly managed branches,
they are run by sub-postmasters.
“We’re confident we’ll be able to keep services
running. We would like to reassure customers that we will be
working to resolve any differences.” |
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