Whitstable postal workers set to strike

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Delivery workers from an office in Kent will strike next week in the latest step in the ongoing campaign to save their town's postal services.

Postwomen and postmen will take part in the 24-hour protest action at Whitstable Delivery Office, which is earmarked for closure as part of Royal Mail's restructuring programme, and they have invited members of the local community to join them in a Day of Action.

Area delivery rep Jean Roberts explained that the dispute had arisen after local management refused to abide by the national agreement on delivery office closures - an agreement that was reached last year between the union and Royal Mail.

"We just want them to follow the national agreement," she said, adding: "The people of Whitstable don't want this and they can't see any reason for it."

While the company has said that there has been consultation over the closure, the union points out that this "consultation" has solely consisted of Royal Mail telling them that the office is going to close.

If the closure goes ahead, the workforce will have to travel to Canterbury Delivery Office, sort their rounds and then travel back to Whitstable to deliver the mail, while residents will have to make the same trip to pick up any undelivered items.

CWU members report strong support from Whitstable residents for their campaign, which was the focus for the town's Postal Workers Day activities in December, when local people joined postal workers at the delivery office to back their stance.

Other campaign activities have included public meetings in the town, lobbying of local politicians and businesses, and a petition calling for a rethink has won over 5,000 signatures.

Visit the Facebook Group for more information on the day: http://www.facebook.com/groups/23695835 ... 872196095/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;