LTB 594/14 Unfair Competition Developments

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LTB 594/14 Unfair Competition Developments - New Select Committee Enquiry and Parliamentary Debate

No: 594/14
Ref: 21003
25th September 2014




To: All Branches with Postal Members




Dear Colleague


UNFAIR COMPETITION DEVELOPMENTS – NEW SELECT COMMITTEE ENQUIRY AND PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE


The purpose of this LTB is to update branches on two very recent political developments which can help the Union in its campaign for regulatory intervention and action on unfair direct delivery competition.


Firstly, on the 24th September the BIS (Business, Innovation and Skills) Select Committee announced a new enquiry into competition in the UK Postal Sector and its impact on the Universal Service Obligation. The terms of reference for this parliamentary enquiry are to consider:


(a) Access and end to end delivery of mail.
(b) Parcel delivery services
And the impact of competition in these services on the USO.


The deadline for submissions to the select committee parliamentary enquiry is Friday 24th October.


Secondly, we can also advise that a parliamentary debate will be held on end to end competition to debate a motion on the subject on Thursday 2nd October at 12.30pm.


These developments are welcomed by the Union and shows signs that our campaign is now beginning to highlight the importance of these issues in Parliament. These parliamentary events will give CWU a further opportunity to raise the profile on the serious threat now posed by unfair competition to the future of UK Postal Services and employment standards across the sector.


Finally, we can also confirm that the Union will be holding a National Briefing in October to discuss our strategy to deal with ongoing competition issues and other key postal matters. A date for this briefing will be finalised next week and details will follow in due course.




In the meantime, please ensure that CWU Representatives and members are made aware of these developments.


Any enquires on the parliamentary debate, to the General Secretary Department, all other enquiries to the Deputy General Secretary Department.




Yours sincerely






Billy Hayes Dave Ward
General Secretary Deputy General Secretary (P)