A settlement will be good for local people and communities

Oxford – 28 June 2007

"The postal workers are fighting to save vital local post offices and letter delivery services. They deserve our support," said Green Party parliamentary candidate for Oxford East, Peter Tatchell.  

He was speaking ahead of the Friday 29th June postal strike.

“We have already seen local post offices close in Oxford. If we don’t support the postal workers we could lose even more.

“By defending their jobs and opposing lay-offs they are defending the postal services on which all of us depend.

“The Royal Mail should reopen negotiations and agree a settlement with the Communications Workers Union. A workforce that is treated fairly will be happier and more productive. Getting a deal is in the interest of the Royal Mail and its employees and customers.

“The government's post office closures are another Labour attack on local people and communities. Planned job cuts will inevitably mean poorer services.

“Most postal workers are already low paid. Now the government is offering a below inflation wage increase. It is, in effect, a pay cut. This is no way to treat essential service workers.

“Instead of wasting billions on Trident nuclear missiles and ID cards, the government could spend the money on reversing post office closures, improving letter deliveries and giving postal workers a decent wage,” said Mr Tatchell.  

Mr Tatchell’s views are echoed by the Green Party parliamentary candidate for Oxford West and Abingdon, Chris Goodall:
“The systematic dismantling of our postal services has a huge cost to vulnerable groups everywhere. Three years ago there were four Post Offices in North Oxford. Now there is one. Similar trends are occurring across the whole Oxford area and we must fight to retain this vital service,“ said Mr Goodhall.
Oxford Green Party statement:

GREENS BACK POSTAL WORKERS IN DISPUTE

Councillors from Oxford Green Party and the local Green Trade Union Group
are supporting the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in its industrial
action against Royal Mail planned for Friday 29th June.

The CWU is seeking to defend postal services and is calling for an end to
Post Office closures, unfair competition and a decent living wage for postal
workers.

"Royal Mail has offered a below inflation wage increase and is changing
working practices, so that already low waged workers will no longer be able
supplement their basic take home pay through working overtime,” said Oxford Green Party in a statement issued today.

“In effect, this amounts to a further cut in their wages.”

"Royal Mail has spurned the chance to work with the CWU to develop a plan
that secures the future of the service and looks after the interests of its
staff. Instead it is pushing ahead with plans that will see up to 40,000
jobs across the country go and cuts to pay and pensions.  Apart from the
human cost, if such a plan is allowed to be implemented, the public will
suffer too. Post offices form vital community hubs and many will be closed
and deliveries affected.

"The Royal Mail must restart negotiations. In Oxford, as in much of the
South East, postal workers provide a crucial service, which many take for
granted and with hardly a thought to low wages earned by postal workers.
Greens will continue to support CWU in its fight to protect those who work
for the Royal Mail and the vital services they provide," said the Oxford Green Party.

Further information: Peter Tatchell 020 7403 1790

ENDS