Strike action affects some Post Office branches
Staff in the country's network of 371 Crown post offices will take a ninth round of strike action today (Monday 29 July) in a dispute over closures, jobs, and pay.
Only three percent of branches may be affected by the action according to the Post Office.
The strikes have been called by the Communications Workers Union (CWU) which represents staff members in the Crown network.
The Crown network is the part of the Post Office network which is directly run and managed by the Post Office and makes up three per cent of the 11,800 Post Office network. As part of its plans to bring the Crown network into profit, the Post Office is proposing to partner 70 of its Crown branches – less than one per cent of the network – with a suitable retailer.
The CWU have confirmed a full day strike which they claim will affect up to 4,000 staff across the Crown office network.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "It's becoming ever clearer that the Post Office is obsessed with cost cutting, closing Post Offices and slashing jobs and local services. This is being done against the wishes of customers and communities and with no political mandate. It is a shocking robbery of local services and misuse of public money - with £15.4 million paid out in bonuses to senior managers while front-line staff face job losses and pay freezes.
"Our members' determination has been unwavering because they know they are right; they are standing up to protect jobs, services and for a fair pay rise. The company is in disarray and clearly out of touch with both its staff and customers. We remain firmly convinced that a positive solution can be reached to protect jobs and services, but that will require the company - and perhaps government - engaging in serious negotiations."
The Post Office said: "This is not a closure plan. Once a suitable retailer is found any move would be subject to a six week public consultation.
"At the same time the Post Office is investing £70m in 300 Crown branches to modernise and grow services and ensure their long term viability.
"The remainder of the Post Office network (97%) is not affected by the strike action and we are doing everything we can to minimise disruption, so that as many affected Crown branches open and operate as normal."
But the CWU argues that the Post Office wants to close and/or franchise 75 Crown offices, 20% of the network, and cut up to 1,500 jobs:
"These main offices comprise 3% of total post offices but handle 20% of all customers and 40% of all financial services sales making them the powerhouse of the network." say the union.
"Staff at Crown Post Offices have not had a pay rise since April 2011 while all other staff represented by CWU in the Post Office have had two pay rises totalling 6.75% in this period while head office managers shared a bonus pot of £15.4 million."
Post Office staff have already taken strike action on eight previous occasions including on Easter Saturday.
The Post Office has provided a list of branches which may be affected by the strike action to help plan your visit. These may include branches in Bedford Street, Exeter and Chapel Street in Exmouth.
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/post-office-branches-strike-action
