Striking postal workers: 'You are out of touch'
POSTAL workers resumed strike action across West Norfolk yesterday as the long-running dispute over pay, pensions and business changes continues.
The move means no collections or deliveries will be made in the PE postcode area today or tomorrow, with further disruptions also planned on Monday and Tuesday.
The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) has apologised in advance for the disruption. It believes Royal Mail’s modernisation plans will destroy the postal service in the long run.
Members have raised a number of concerns about changes in services, including alterations to start times and an end to Sunday collections.
CWU area delivery representative Adam Oakes said: “All of this reduces the service to the public and allows the competition to cherry pick work from Royal Mail.
“This cherry picking will not bring about a better service, in fact the opposite is likely.
“We would ask the public to support their local postal workers during this strike and help us protect a service that has existed for over 350 years by writing to their MP and Gordon Brown.”
Mr Oakes said post offices across West Norfolk will not be affected by the strike and will open as normal.
Talks between the CWU and Royal Mail continued yesterday and Mr Oakes said the two parties were close to resolving some issues but were “far apart” on others.
Royal Mail has condemned the decision to call for further strikes and has criticised the CWU for failing to produce any serious proposals which could help resolve the issues and move the business forward.
A spokesman said: “It is clear from our discussions that the CWU leadership does not begin to understand the challenges facing Royal Mail and the very serious consequences for the business if we do not push ahead and modernise.
“The union’s repeated refusal to contemplate the changes we must make if we are to be able to compete in an increasingly tough market simply shows that they are completely out of touch with UK industry and the reality of how competitive markets work.”
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Weather for King's Lynn
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 26 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
