LOCAL postal workers could strike because of the regulator’s plans to introduce competition.
Today is the first day of a 48-hour national stoppage by Royal Mail workers in a row over job security and conditions and Communication Workers Union Guernsey branch chairman Steve White said such action would be a possibility locally if jobs were cut.
‘If the proposals were introduced, it would have irrevocable ramifications that would affect everybody on the island,’ he said.
‘The main concern is that companies would come in and cherry-pick money-making services and leave Guernsey Post losing money.’
He feared changes could lead to industrial action.
‘If there is cost cutting, then this will lead to job losses,’ he said.
‘We wouldn’t want to strike if that happened, but it would be there as a last resort. We would not want to be in the situation that is happening in the UK.’
Treasury and Resources minister Charles Parkinson said his department was not convinced that allowing further competition in the postal market was in the best interests of Guernsey Post or the island.
‘Treasury and Resources is very strongly of the view that Guernsey Post must never be placed in a position where it is unable to maintain the universal service obligation that is imposed on the company,’ he said. ‘As shareholder, our primary interest is to ensure that GPL remains a profitable, well run and respected company which is able to continue providing quality services to the community of the Bailiwick.’
He said Guernsey Post needed to be able to recover its costs following the recent rises imposed by Royal Mail.
‘We said that it was essential that GPL is permitted to recover those additional costs in order to ensure the business remains viable and profitable,’ said Deputy Parkinson.
When the regulator’s recommendations were released on Tuesday morning, Guernsey Post condemned them.
But Office of Utility Regulation director-general John Curran said Guernsey Post and CWU were not grounding their views in facts.
‘The OUR’s focus remains on assisting the development of a postal service that is as efficient as possible while maintaining the universal service obligation,’ he said.
‘There is little value in us addressing the inflammatory rhetoric and misinformation stated by Guernsey Post and the CWU in recent days.’
He maintained that Guernsey Post could make savings without damaging the service.
‘We have an obligation to consider the implications of changes in the postal sector on all interested parties, not just Guernsey Post,’ he said.
The OUR is still consulting on its draft decision and Mr Curran said it would make a final decision based on facts, not wild speculation.
National post strike Page 16
Article posted on 22nd October, 2009 - 2.30pm
6 Article Comments
A strike? really?! But…what are the poor ol posties going to do without the huge amounts of overtime they get for putting a foot over the threshhold for 10 minutes or so after the lunch hour, or the extra monies they receive for doing what they call ‘additional work’ but what some cynics could see as simply part of their job?
Really! Those of us who work in other industries, many of whom work from WELL before 9 until goodness knows when on a flat rate, with no overtime pay, and who regularly get a myriad of ‘additional duties’ which have little or nothing to do with our job but that we have to do anyway, for no extra pay, just don’t know how LUCKY we are!!
Good on you lads, I say, don’t let the bosses tell you what to do, even if it IS their job! Why should you have to play by the same rules as everyone else?! Why should your company face competition (and possible job losses because of it)…I mean, really what’s all this nonsense about other companies having competition, and how it provides more choice and possible savings for the customers?! Has NO-one considered that your bulging pay packets are the priority here?!!
It’s soooo unfair! I must go now and wipe away my tears….
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its a pity that people don’t get as angry with the boss for the mess they have made of our financial industry, the at pay has to pick up the bill but just as soon as a worker demands fair payment of wages they should be put up against the wall and bee shot.
Its funny certain sections of society let the boss a way with any thing even stealing our wealth!
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Scarlett, if you’re so disatisfied with your current job, why don’t you apply to be a postie? From your comments, it sounds like a great job!
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This can only be good news for all the other competitors in the postal businesses. If Royal Mail and any other operators are not careful they will end up cutting their nose off to spite their face.
Confidence is quickly lost. Once big businesses feel comfortable elsewhere, without all the unnecessary politics and disruptions, they will tend to stay with their new found services and only look elsewhere should problems arise.
I can see some doing very well whereas those that have become too comfortable losing the most in terms of profits and market share.
The government will be the biggest loser with more unemployment and all the many costs that arise from this.
Its crazy but it seems as though some are doing the exact opposite of what they should be doing in times of economic downturns.
One man’s loss is another man’s gain. Its about time workers considered real need instead of greed.
Maybe the reality of them trying to make ends meet on benefits would wise the majority up and make them glad of what they are earning!
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Greg, nowhere in my post do I say that I am unhappy with my lot, and my lot is not the point.
I have been in the employ of others since I was 15 (that’s a lot of years) and my observations are based on my personal experiences – and that of my colleagues.
The inner workings of the Post Office are well known to anyone who has lived here long enough.
I now run my own business and couldn’t be happier working 7 days a week for a fraction of what I used to earn, and I am not impressed by the threats of the Post Office Union that they may get on their proverbial bikes because they may have to play by the same rules as the rest of us for once….;0) !
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Charles Parkinson says that “Treasury and Resources is very strongly of the view that Guernsey Post must never be placed in a position where it is unable to maintain the universal service obligation that is imposed on the company,”. If that is so then why is he letting them waste nearly £1million on consultants for the bank diversification plan which the boss of the Post office seems to think won’t make money for years. And another thing,buying Batif-how much! And yet another why all the marketing people when its a monoploy on a small island. Post office is wasting our money and charging to to much
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