Nine Merseyside Post Offices could close in pay row strike

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Nine Merseyside Post Offices could close in pay row strike

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NINE Merseyside Post Offices could temporarily shut if a threatened strike goes ahead.

Workers are embroiled in a row with Royal Mail bosses over pay.

Yesterday, ballot papers were sent out to Post Office counter staff across Merseyside asking if they want to down tools.

According to the Communication Workers Union (CWU) they have been locked in fruitless talks with management over a new pay deal since April last year. They want a wage rise, but Royal Mail claims it cannot afford the extra expense.

CWU’s Liverpool branch secretary Mark Walsh told the Daily Post the union launched the ballot after an angry meeting last week.

He added: “We had a meeting last week. They got a clear message from Liverpool.

“Since April 1 last year, we’ve been in protracted talks and there’s still nothing on the table.

“What they have done that’s inflamed the situation is that the office managers have been given a pay rise.

“They have refused to give our members one – they have actually said they’re overpaid.”

CWU members have until March 4 to return their ballots.

If they choose to go on strike, they could force Royal Mail-run post offices – which are part of what is known as the Crown Post Office Network – across Merseyside to temporarily close. That would include the Corn Exchange branch in the India Buildings and others in Old Swan, Bootle, Breck Road and Ormskirk.

Post Office bosses last night urged the CWU to stop the ballot.

Managing director Paula Vennells said: “The Crown Post Office network is losing £55m a year.

“We regret the fact that the CWU is unwilling to engage in a constructive dialogue about tackling this unsustainable financial position.

“We know having no pay increase is a very difficult message for our staff. The unfortunate reality, however, is that the Crown Post Office network is loss-making.

“Right across the country, difficult choices are being made by many public and private sector organisations and we are no different.

“Any form of industrial action will only harm our customers and do nothing to resolve the urgent need to reverse the losses in the Crown network.”

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[andy2007]

So if the financial situation is so bad, why can they afford to give the Managers a pay rise?
Either they can afford to give a pay rise, or they can't. It's like being back in the bloody 70's again! Managers get pay rises, the workers either don't, or get an insultingly low rise. They've failed to learn from the mistakes of the past!

[Druss]

I actually wonder if POL could produce an accurate account for any BO showing where the money comes from and goes to. With a accurate balance figure at the end.