Morning:
13°c
Royal Mail ‘modernisation’ to cost 16,000 jobs, union fears
Nicholas Cecil06.02.09
Union chiefs today warned that up to 16,000 jobs face the axe at the Royal Mail.
The postal service is reportedly considering reducing costs by 10 per cent. Union bosses fear this could see one in 10 of the 160,000-strong workforce losing their jobs.
Royal Mail is said to be writing to staff offering three options — voluntary redundancy, part-time work or switching locations. It is said to be seeking to cut its wage bill by £470 million.
The postal provider stressed that no job-loss announcement had been made but it was working with staff over modernisation plans. However, Dave Ward, deputy leader of the Communication Workers Union, said: “We are not opposed to modernisation but these are random savings which have not been properly worked out.
“They have nothing to do with modernisation, they are panic measures which will hit the quality of service.”
Tory MP Peter Luff, chairman of the all-party Commons business committee, warned that job cuts could derail plans to part-privatise the service.
He said: “It will make it more difficult for the Government to win support from reluctant backbenchers.”
Royal Mail has shed an estimated 50,000 jobs since 2002.
Information packs being sent out to staff are understood to contain a ready reckoner so workers can work out how much redundancy they would get.
Just weeks ago, Royal Mail announced that its four main operations were in profit for the first time in two decades.
Reader views (8)
The postal worker need to be greatful they have a job. For a postperson thats gets paid for a days work and not assisting in the sorting office after their rounds to me they are lazy and should be replaced by worker that is willing to put the hours in if they stike. As Christmas is comimg their wives will soon call an end to the stikes as their own children will suffer with low income gifts.
- Paul, Wales
I DO HOPE THAT THE ROYAL MAIL EMPLOYEE WHO PARKS HIS VAN OUTSIDE HIS HOUSE ANYTIME FROM 10AM - 2PM IN MY STREET IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO LOSES HIS JOB. HOW DOES HE GET AWAY WITH IT AND I BET HE GETS OVERTIME FOR SITTING INDOORS ALL THIS TIME TOO.
- Anon, UK
Why do the Unions keep on supporting NuLabour, with 16000 jobs to go there is less money in the pot.
- Stan White, leeds
"However I am very disappointed in a so-called Labour government allowing cuts as reported...Of course you would expect nothing less from the Tories." Mark H.-Garbage. I'm not aware of the Tories having threatened Royal Mail to anything like the extent that your beloved NuLiebour has.
The real reason for the current mess at the Post Office is down to the EUromonster. The EUropean Parliament has decided that postal systems must be open to competition (unless, of course, you mean the French and German state operators) across EUrope. Billy Liar, who started the process, loyally assisted by Gormless Clown simply did as they were commnaded by their Neo-Soviet masters in Brussels.
- Keith Lonsdale, Doncaster
I've never had any problems with the Royal Mail...Although I was woken-up recently, {Yeah he came early}, because the postie had posted next doors mail through my letter box...Heh heh.
However I am very disappointed in a so-called Labour government allowing cuts as reported...Of course you would expect nothing less from the Tories.
- Mark H, London England
So the UCW claims [ about the "cuts"] “They have nothing to do with modernisation, they are panic measures which will hit the quality of service.” For the record, I live within 100 yards of the West Central sorting office. This week we had no post for three days on the trot; post is delivered randomly and haphazardly with value items often purloined. Precisely what "quality of service" is under threat. It is a tragedy but the Royal Mail is going the way of the NHS, BBC, Metropolitan Police, TfL Buses and the London Underground - an essential public service that is imploding due to weak management, poor leadership and shambolic industrial relations. They have turned their natural supporters into bitter critics. Well done the UCW, one more step towards the industrial grave for another erstwhile trustworthy British institution.
- Michael, London, UK
Many jobs have changed over the past 50 years, so what is so special about the Royal Mail? Jobs are not guaranteed by the communist state, if you want that join the Labour Party!
- Joe, Thornton Heath, UK
worked for 23 years at royal mail and since my time there the service has dropped due to management allowing the decline of once a good company.nowaday you see postmen delivering at 3:00 in the afternoon,whats that about!
- Stanley M, Sheffield; England
