Postal strikes looming in sorting office row

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/c ... -20745092/

Apr 10 2008 By Christina Savvas

POSTAL strikes in Coventry and Warwickshire look inevitable after Royal Mail ruled out seven sites for a new sorting office in the city, union officials warned today.

The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) has vowed to fight the company's plans to close the Bishop Street mail centre and move operations to a new regional site in Northampton.

The decision to push ahead with the preferred option is a massive blow for 500 Coventry workers who could lose their jobs.

City council and trade union leaders had suggested seven other sites including the former Peugeot site at Ryton and the Rivet Coventry Building in Waterman Road, Stoke.

But Royal Mail has rejected the proposals and said the sites are not suitable.

Mick Kavanagh, Coventry branch chair of the CWU, said: "We are still fighting the closure of the Coventry mail centre.

"We have authority from our members to take industrial action and although we are not going to press the button just yet, if we have to use our industrial muscle then we will do so."

He added: "The area management team have treated the public in Coventry disgracefully. They have destroyed postal services in the Coventry and Warwickshire area and it is about time they explained why they are doing this.

"They are not talking to the union, and we are not going to stand by and let our members be treated in this way.

"The council put forward options in good faith. We have lost a lot of industry in Coventry, and Royal Mail have a responsibility to Coventry and our members - and if they are not interested we will have to make them interested.

"The ballot will be coming very shortly."

Cllr Kevin Foster, cabinet member for city development, said: "We are extremely disappointed, particularly that Royal Mail left it so long to look at any Coventry sites.

"For the Ryton site they indicated that relocation costs would be too high, but most employees live within Coventry.

"We sent a letter with alternative sites on March 27 and we received a reply dated April so we don't feel enough consideration has been given."

Royal Mail said the sites put forward were not suitable for a number of commercial and operational reasons and it would continue to plan for a relocation.

A spokesman said: "We have always been very open about the fact that our preferred location for the new combined Coventry and Northampton Mail Centre would be between junctions 15 and 16 of the M1 for strategic, operational and commercial reasons.

"We have evaluated sites suggested by Coventry City Council but for a number of reasons, they do not meet our requirements and therefore do not provide a compelling reason for us to change our preferred option."

tional reasons and it would continue to plan for a relocation. This is in the original article weird

A spokesman said: "We have always been very open about the fact that our preferred location for the new combined Coventry and Northampton Mail Centre would be between junctions 15 and 16 of the M1 for strategic, operational and commercial reasons.

"We have evaluated sites suggested by Coventry City Council but for a number of reasons, they do not meet our requirements and therefore do not provide a compelling reason for us to change our preferred option."

[dvbuk55]

I'll bet they had a consultation period though. This "consultation" process is a wonderful tool for RM - threatened strike action last year - called off whilst further discussion/consultation took place - result - RM said bollox and the pay and modernisation agreement comes in, Pensions "consultation" -result - RM says bollox - pension rights curtailed, Post Office closures "consultation" - result - RM says bollox - POs closed by the thousand - but hey thanks for the time to get organised for pay, pension, modernisation and closures.

"Consultations" to come - D2d, monthly pay, annualised hours and being taken from behind - I'll just bet you can't wait.

[BB brother]

Is this the Office that Tonic is at?


.

[Night Tonic]

I'm to the west of the central Midlands - about 40-50 miles away. We supported them on their rally though. Its a bad site that one but makes no sence to shift it down to Northampton.

[BB brother]

Thought you were a gonner there Tonic !

I was gonna ask you for your gloves

.

[Night Tonic]

Disgraceful whats happening down there. Kavanagh is their spokesman. City that size with no DO - can't be right

Cov Branch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Owv1BJVMg4I