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Businesses attack ‘ridiculous’ postal strike
Amar Singh and Jonathan Prynn13.07.09
Small business leaders in London told today how the postal strike had damaged trade already hit hard by the recession.
Business owners said the three-day dispute — which ended on Friday — had disrupted vital cash flow.
Postal workers went on strike last week in an escalating row between the Communication Workers Unions and Royal Mail over jobs and pay.
Business associations said the industrial action would cost the London economy tens of millions of pounds.
Dr Helen Hill, policy director at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “The disruption and delay caused by the postal strikes is the last thing businesses need in the middle of a recession.
“Wildcat strikes by postal workers cost London businesses an estimated £304 million in 2007.”
Entrepreneurs running small to medium enterprises say a daily influx of cheques is vital to their organisations staying afloat and any disruption to their post can cause major problems.
Nicko Williamson, managing director of Battersea-based eco-friendly car service Climate Cars, said: “Inconsistent postal services can really screw up your cash flow. Even a couple of days of no post can cause issues.
“It's ridiculous to have this strike now when we are all struggling to make ends meet.”
Jane Walton, an antiques dealer based in West Sussex, said: “This strike is very insensitive to the people that keep the Royal Mail going — the small business owners. It angers me.
“They do not give a damn about anyone but themselves.”
A spokeswoman for CWU said: “We understand that small businesses and other customers rely on an efficient postal service. Postal workers in London are also experiencing a really difficult time at the moment. Having their hours cut means less money.”
Reader views (5)
I think postal staff are lucky to have a job at all, ive been waiting 2 weeks now for a sertan items to arrive and still they not arrived. I even had 1 send special Delivery item which was ment to be due today that to never arrived either... I just hope that post staff suffer the same thing while waiting on urgent mail. i Say sack the main trouble makers that causing these strikes and employ new staff..Maybe that will make other staff think about striking. It's just not right making us wait for our mail and for items thats been paid for and awaiting for delivery.
Maybe we need a new kind of postal service that is better than royal mail,and wont go on strike.
S.morgan
- S. Morgan, Colliers wood
This is ridiculous to go on strike in the middle of a recession, Nearly EVERY company at the minute is downsizing and reducing hours... but do you see US going on strike?... you are lucky at the moment to even have a job... is it stupid action like this that brought down our great manufacturing industry in the first place, and now you're going to do the same to the royal mail... well done royal mail workers and the CWU, bring the country to it's knee's when it's struggling the most! Most people will kill to have a job at the moment, so if you don't like working for the Royal Mail, LEAVE and let someone who deserves it work there!
- Richard Woodward, Leicestershire
everyday i walk past a pub in Wimbledon and there are the same postal staff sitting there from noon when i return that way about 4.30 they are still sitting there drinking in there uniforms
and these are overworked under pressure staff i think not maybe the post service needs to shed a few staff
- Terry Chambers, London
i believe that they should strike and it shows just how much we rely on the postal services the amount of work that these people do good for them to stand up for there beliefs im sure you would all do the same if you worked for the royal mail!!!!
- Laura, london
>>Postal workers in London are also experiencing a really difficult time at the moment. Having their hours cut means less money
No difference for the rest of us then, but did we strike?
- Adam, Harrow, UK
