Whitstable postal workers call off plans for a second strike

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BATTLING postal workers have called off a second strike on Saturday to fight the planned closure of Cromwell Road delivery office.

Posties had asked residents to join the picket line and said the protest could be taken to Canterbury if closure goes ahead on February 11.


A separate community guerrilla action was also planned with residents asked to block their letter boxes and put up a poster saying they want their mail returned to the delivery office to be redelivered on Monday.

But following 11th-hour talks with Royal Mail bosses, the Communication Workers Union has secured a three-week review to look at the plans and put forward a counter proposal, which means Saturday's actions have been called off - for now.

Two weeks ago more than 300 people marched through Whitstable wearing red in solidarity with striking postal workers. Just three days later Royal Mail bosses fixed a date for the move to Canterbury.

Union boss David Banbury slammed the timing of the announcement as "intimidation."

He said: "The announcement antagonised the work force. We don't think the date is practical or achievable. It's an intimidation of staff after strike action."

Mr Banbury, Regional Secretary for the Kent branch of the Communication Workers Union, met Royal Mail bosses yesterday (Monday 21). He believes money can be saved without moving the office or losing jobs.

He wants Royal Mail chiefs to consider their case, have a public consultation and look at health and safety issues.

He said: "We never accepted closure of local delivery offices and we believe there's an alternative. If the move goes ahead without agreement from the union, there will be a reaction."

Around 36 out of 50 workers at the Cromwell Road office are union members and union rep and Whitstable postie, Chris Stone, said the protest would move to Canterbury. He said: "Royal Mail may claim to be in deployment phase of this move but it would appear to be unprepared for it, especially regarding parking issues and revision to the work procedure.

"To attempt to push through this move on February 11 would be madness. I don't think the company understands the nature of this town and the determination, imagination, enterprise and creativity of its residents in resisting what is clearly an absurd move."

"This issue isn't just about Whitstable. It's about the air quality in Canterbury and the quality of life with all the existing congestion around the office in Military Road."

Community organiser Julie Wassmer said: "This is a David and Goliath situation in which a small town and its postal workers are taking on a massive company."

The Herne Bay delivery office was closed and relocated to Canterbury earlier this year.