Post Office workers don’t want to be privatised

In a recent ballot, 96% of Post Office workers voted to remain in public ownership, even though they have been promised £1,500 in shares if the sale goes through. They point to the fact that the Royal Mail has doubled its profits lately, and though the result of a ‘fattening-up’ process for privatisation, it shows that the Post Office is still a valuable and necessary service. We, their customers, are grateful. The UK has the highest level of post box provision per square kilometre of any Western European nation. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Katy Clark MP describes selling off the Post Office as ‘a massive mistake.’ She says: ‘The six-day delivery service could be under threat and would be less secure if Royal Mail is transferred into private ownership. The Government claim that the universal service is enshrined in law, but many aspects of the universal service obligation are set by the regulator and can be easily changed. The track record of the regulator to date does not inspire confidence. We already know that they are allowing TNT to cherry pick services in London, employing staff on zero hour contracts and far worse terms and conditions and with lower standards of service, to undercut Royal Mail. Whilst TNT and other organisations may wish to take on easier and more profitable routes, it is unlikely they will be willing to take on more remote and rural communities.’