12LTB527 - Post Office: Early Day Motion 368

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Letter to Branches




No: 12LTB527
Ref: 201
Date: 13 July 2012

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS


Dear Member

Post Office: Early Day Motion 368

We would like to advise Branches that Katy Clark, Labour MP for North Ayrshire and Arran has kindly tabled EDM 368, in relation to the Post Office Network Transformation programme that directly affects our Postmaster members.

Currently Postmasters receive a fixed core tier payment of at least £10,000 per annum. Under Network Transformation, which will involve converting over 50% of the current branch network to new operating models, from sub-post offices to either ‘Local’ or ‘Main post offices, Postmasters will lose this fixed payment and will move on to variable pay. They will be expected to make up the money via greater sales.

We are deeply concerned that the removal of the core tier payment from Postmasters will ultimately lead to many Sub Post Offices becoming financially unviable, which will inevitably lead to unplanned closures, a position which conflicts with this Government’s stated position of no closure programme.

We are especially pleased that 60 MPs have already signed this EDM since it was tabled earlier this week. The EDM reads as follows:

EDM 368 - Sub-Post Office Funding:

That this House notes that the Post Office proposes significant changes to the funding arrangements for sub-post office branches, including the complete removal of the fixed core tier payment (CTP) for the new Post Office Local and Main operating models, that removing the CTP risks undermining the financial viability of post offices, particularly in rural areas and deprived urban communities where their social value is greatest, that unplanned closures of post offices will inevitably result, undermining commitments that there will be no closures programme during this Parliament; and calls for the CTP to be reinstated to the new Post Office operating models in order to sustain the long-term future of the Post Office network, which is part of the fabric of British society.

We would urge all Branches to write to their MPs, encouraging them to sign EDM 368 if they haven’t done so already. A model letter is attached to this LTB for use in this regard. The following link will take you to the Parliamentary website, in order that you can see who has already signed: http://www.parliament.uk/edm/2012-13/368" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

We realise there are only a few days left until recess, however a letter writing campaign over the summer, when MPs are less busy with parliamentary matters will hopefully focus their minds. Whilst their signature won’t go on until after the recess they can still register with the table office in Westminster.

Branches should note that this EDM has the full approval and support of Billy Hayes, General Secretary. Regional Secretaries have also been informed of this development, and have been asked to co-ordinate activity around getting the EDM supported.

Further enquiries should be directed to Claire Bowers, cbowers@cwu.org or 020 8971 7361.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Yours sincerely


Andy Furey Dave Ward
Assistant Secretary Deputy General Secretary