The
Communication Workers Union are on strike 31 October, as their members
walked off jobs in the UK Post Office in a dispute over the future of
their pensions scheme, post office closures, and job losses.
CWU & Unite Members Strike UK Post Office.
UNI Post & Logistics affiliates Unite-CMA and The Communication
Workers Union are on strike , 31 October, as their members walked off
jobs in the UK Post Office in a dispute over the future of their
pensions scheme, post office closures, and job losses.
Post Office management are driving through changes that would close the
define benefit pension scheme for workers and replace it with an
inferior define contribution plan. The changes in pension scheme come
despite the current plan running a surplus which is expected to last at
least until 2022.
The recent UNI Post & Logistics World Conference adopted an
emergency resolution in support of Unite and the CWU's dispute with Post
Office management. The conference noted that the current crisis has its
roots in the Government's separating the Post Office from Royal Mail
Group in advance of the latter's privatisation. Furthermore, it is clear
that the Government has resisted efforts by the unions to spur
investment and innovation in the post office network.
"Britons are celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Royal Mail this
year," remarked UNI P&L Head Stephen DeMatteo. "But our affiliates'
members in the Post Office aren't celebrating. After being spun off to
allow the privatisation of the Royal Mail, these workers are facing
incredible hostility from the Government and Post Office management in
terms of closures, job loss and the elimination of their pensions. We
fully support CWU and Unite in their struggle to stand up for their
members in the Post Office. And we join them in calling on the
Government to convene all parties to have a meaningful discussion about
the future of this cherished national treasure and ensure a business
strategy that preserves quality service, good jobs and the decent
conditions these workers deserve."
The strike action 31 October is the second in this dispute, following a day of action in mid-September.
