Up to 60 set for voluntary redundancy at Meridian MC

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There will be up to 60 voluntary redundancies among full-time staff at Meridian Mail Centre when it is closes later this year.
Post Office staff at the centre have agreed to a deal regarding voluntary redundancies after a year-long negotiation between the Royal Mail and union representatives.

As well a maximum of 60 voluntary redundancies for full-time staff, there will be another 17 of distribution drivers, who work at the Centurion Way site. There will also be an undisclosed number of voluntary deals for part-time workers.
Communication Workers Union representative Andy Connelly said: "We've been in negotiations with the Royal Mail for the best part of a year.

"It's been extremely difficult – the closure of the mail centre is a big blow to us because it's such a big employer in the city.

"But we're happy we've finally got the agreement and now we're looking to negotiate the next step, which is terms for those who do not choose the voluntary redundancy."

The Meridan mail centre will close at the end of September, leaving the staff who have not taken voluntary redundancies uncertain about their futures.

A second stage of negotiations will take place to determine which workers will move to the new South Midlands Mail Centre, in Northampton, or whether they will relocate to a number of other locations closer to home.

News of the ballot came as the Royal Mail announced its plans to privatise the company. Workers are being offered shares in the business, which will be floated on the London Stock Exchange if an operator is found.

However, Leicester's union leaders said their members were not keen on the proposals.

Mr Connelly said: "Our view is that, as public servants, we're not allowed to take bribes.

"The shares are valued at about £2,000 but most of our members would rather stay in the public sector and continue to provide a quality service.

"I can't think of public sector organisation which has been improved through privatisation."

He also said the privatisation would have no effect on the closure of the Leicester mail centre

Royal Mail spokesman Nick Martens said: "Royal Mail is committed to the process of trying to resolve concerns of workers in the Leicester area by continuing to follow the national jointly agreed framework with the union. We have made significant progress in recent months."