WORLDWIDE support has gathered for a campaign to save Guernsey Post.
The Save Our Post Office Guernsey group on Facebook, which has more than 680 members, was set up following the Office of Utility Regulation’s recommendation that the company be opened up to competition.
Campaign creator Aindre Reece-Sheerin (pictured), a disability equalities consultant, said it had struck a chord with those who had joined.
‘I’ve had emails from all over America and from other post workers in the UK and Ireland.’
He said that he became a supporter of Guernsey Post after doing the company’s Dignity at Work course.
‘It set off something in my mind. It is a forward-thinking company that is inclusive of any employee regardless of impairment.
‘I fully support the idea that the OUR has to have an input, but to me, it is not achieving a balance. If it is doing something right, why does it require a slap on the wrist?’
Mr Reece-Sheerin said Guernsey Post had met all its targets set by the OUR and managed to give money back to the States.
‘All of the money is staying in the island and being re-invested.’
He claimed the OUR’s ‘interference’ was untimely and unnecessary.
‘What other States department or part-owned company can meet the same credentials?’
Local author Peter Lihou agreed with Mr Reece-Sheerin.
‘Guernsey Post operates an excellent service at very reasonable rates, despite the hikes in charges from the UK,’ he said.
‘There’s an old adage, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and it perfectly sums up the situation with our postal service.’
Mr Lihou said if there was a problem, he would be the first to complain as it would badly impact on book sales.
‘But forcing them to introduce unreasonable efficiencies can only result in an adverse quality of service and the introduction of competition in a small market like Guernsey will lead to the chaos currently besetting Royal Mail.
‘Ultimately, it will be the less profitable domestic deliveries that will be sacrificed.’
He added that the taxpayer-owned Guernsey Post and profits would benefit the community.
A spokesman for Guernsey Post said: ‘We think it is vital that there is a public debate and are pleased that islanders are taking such an active interest in the future of their post office and the service in Guernsey.
‘The changes proposed will alter it forever unless they are stopped.’
He said the OUR’s report was complex but it was important the public read the facts of the matter and it has published a simple guide to the issues on its website.
Article posted on 29th October, 2009 - 2.29pm
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