Billys Blog:Berlin – Germany.

[POSTMAN]

Today the CWU had a delegation to Berlin, Germany, where we were part of the Union Network International (UNI) delegation to protest against the liberalisation of postal services in Europe. Mr McGreevy, the European Commissioner, is considering opening up postal services to liberalisation.

The CWU delegation form part of the wider UNI delegation from across Europe. Some thousand postal workers from across Europe demonstrated, many of whom wore their postal uniforms.

The March and Rally listened to Rolf Buttner, Chair of UNI Postal, Jon Pedersen, UNI Postal and Philip Jennings, General Secretary of UNI. I was also asked to speak and gave the gathering an update on how badly liberalisation in the UK had damaged Royal Mail and I spoke about the impending strike to fight against Royal Mail’s reckless cost cutting and a below inflation pay offer. Many postal workers across Europe gave a rousing cheer in solidarity with CWU members. Our national work is implemented by our international efforts, in that an injury to one is an injury to all, whether that be in Berlin or Birmingham.