Press release -
POST OFFICE CALLS FOR CWU TO WORK WITH IT TO PROTECT SERVICES RATHER THAN BALLOT FOR STRIKE ACTION
- Ballot for strike action will not involve people working in over 97 per cent of the Post Office’s 11,600 branches
- No action has been called and Post Office has contingency plans place to minimise disruption to services if strike action takes place
- Post Office wants the CWU to meet with it at ACAS instead of calling for strike action
The Post Office today said it was disappointed by the CWU decision’s to ballot for strike action. It stressed it wanted to work constructively with its unions as it continues to make vital changes to protect Post Office services for customers for years to come. The Post Office is urging the CWU to meet with it at ACAS to find a resolution to this matter.
The Post Office is committed to maintaining the vital services offered by its branches at the heart of communities across the UK, with 99 per cent of the UK’s population within three miles of a Post Office branch. However, this level of service can only be secured for future generations by ensuring the business’s financial sustainability.
The Post Office operates in a fast changing and highly competitive environment which has meant significant changes to the organisation and the way that it works. It understands that some of these changes are difficult for those affected by them and it committed to treating people with dignity and respect.
The Post Office is reassuring customers that no strike action has been called and that should any action take place it has contingency plans to minimise disruption to customer service. Postmasters and their teams working in 97 per cent of the Post Office’s 11,600 branches will not be part of any ballot for strike action.
Kevin Gilliland, Post Office Network and Sales Director said: “We’ve made steady progress in making our business simpler to run, reducing costs to the taxpayer whilst at the same time modernising our network which provides essential services to communities throughout the UK. We are making it better for customers providing unprecedented ease of access to our services through longer opening hours. We’re now the largest retailer open on Sundays, with 3,800 of our branches open seven days a week.
“All of our proposals are taken forward with the utmost care for the people they affect and we’re proud of our track record in supporting people through difficult changes.
“We will give serious consideration to any ideas that the CWU put forward to help us create the Post Office network our customers need for the future and urge them to work in partnership with us to secure the future of our services.”
Ends:
About the Post Office
The Post Office (Post Office Limited) has an unrivalled national network of over 11,500 branches across the UK, more than all the high street banks combined, and sits at the heart of communities in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England. The Post Office has made a commitment to maintaining its network of branches at its current size and reach. It provides around 170 different products and services spanning financial services including savings, insurance, loans, mortgages and credit cards; Government services; telephony; foreign currency; travel insurance and mail services.
The Post Office serves over 17 million customers a week and a third of small businesses. Some 99.7% of the total population live within three miles of a post office and over 97% live with one mile of a post office. For many rural communities, the post office is the only retail outlet. Post Offices branches remain highly valued and trusted, and are the focal point of many communities. For more information, visit http://www.postoffice.co.uk/.
Please note the Press Office team can only deal with enquiries from the media. Unfortunately they do not have access to customer information so can not help with customer enquiries.
If you have an enquiry regarding any Post Office product or service please visit postoffice.co.uk or call 0845 611 2970 Local call rates apply. Call costs may vary depending on your service provider. Calls may be monitored or recorded for training and compliance purposes.
