Postal workers in sell-off protest march

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... march.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Postal workers opposed to the Government's controversial plans to part-privatise the Royal Mail will take their campaign to the constituency of the Postal Affairs Minister today.

The Communication Workers Union will stage a march and demonstration in Wolverhampton, whose MP Pat McFadden is involved in taking forward plans announced by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson for a partial sale of the postal group.

General secretary Billy Hayes said: 'This march is an important demonstration of our determination to keep Royal Mail in the public sector.

'The Government must listen to the concerns of the public, the Labour Party and those who work in the postal sector. There is no need for damaging privatisation to modernise Royal Mail.'

Deputy general secretary Dave Ward added: 'Privatisation by instalment is privatisation by any other name. We would have liked to have marched in Lord Mandelson's constituency, but, unfortunately, he hasn't got one.'

More than 140 Labour MPs have signed a Commons motion opposing the sell off, threatening Gordon Brown with the biggest rebellion since he became Prime Minister.

Minister for postal affairs Pat McFadden said: 'With falling mail volumes and a rising pension deficit, Royal Mail is facing a serious situation and has to change.

'The Government has a responsibility to face up to that because the postal service is important to the country.

;We have set out a plan that will preserve the one-price-goes-anywhere six-day-a-week universal postal service and will guarantee pension security for hard working Royal Mail staff.

'If we don't act, the universal service is under threat and Royal Mail is unlikely to have enough cash to meet its pension obligations.'

[saga]

As the rep at Bilston where this march took place today, I would like to thank all my fellow workers who came from all areas of the country to take part. It was a great day and we had over 1000 people in the march and speeches from Billy and Dave and local reps. We had pictures in the local evening newspaper and it was the main news on central TV and this got our message to thousands of people in the Midlands. I know that more such events are planned elsewhere and I wish them every sucess. ROYAL MAIL--NOT FOR SALE!

[norfolk n chance]

As sagas sub rep i agree with everything she said.

A big thank you to everyone who turned up to show their support


ROYAL MAIL NOT FOR SALE

[Darren Bent]

which local newspaper ?

[borders]

As the rep at Bilston where this march took place today, I would like to thank all my fellow workers who came from all areas of the country to take part. It was a great day and we had over 1000 people in the march and speeches from Billy and Dave and local reps. We had pictures in the local evening newspaper and it was the main news on central TV and this got our message to thousands of people in the Midlands. I know that more such events are planned elsewhere and I wish them every sucess. ROYAL MAIL--NOT FOR SALE!

well done people, thanks for giving up your time.

[borders]

which local newspaper ?

http://www.expressandstar.com/2009/03/1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ... -doorstep/

Postal workers from as far away as Edinburgh, Newcastle, Wales, London and Cornwall marched through Bilston today in protest at the Government’s plan to sell off part of the Post Office.

Motorists sounded their horns in support as around 1,000 demonstrators taking part in the national rally, in postal services minister Pat McFadden’s constituency, chanted: “Royal Mail – not for sale.”

Up to 16,000 of the 160,000 workers face redundancy in a bid to save £470 million.

Joining the march were several councillors, including East Park’s Councillor Keith Inston, who is Mr McFadden’s agent in Wolverhampton South-East, and Councillor Phil Page, for Bilston North, who said: “If we can give millions of pounds to the bankers, we should be able to support postal workers.” Councillor John Rowley added: “The fact Pat McFadden is not here is a disgrace. He should be defending his position – his excuse for not attending is feeble.”

The MP said he was taking his pregnant partner to hospital today for a scan. But in a statement he said: “With falling mail volumes and a rising pension deficit, Royal Mail is facing a serious situation and has to change.

“If we don’t act, the universal service is under threat and Royal Mail is unlikely to have enough cash to meet its pension obligations.”

Resident Bernadette Johnson, aged 51, of Broad Street, Bilston, was cheering on the marchers.

“I’m totally against selling off the Post Office,” she said.

Also marching were Wolverhampton Labour councillors Steve and Val Evans, Susan Constable and Stephen Simpkin.
nam et ipsa scientia potestas est - For Knowledge Itself is Power
You have been sat to long here for any good you have been doing. Depart,I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of god, go!. Oliver Cromwell

[norfolk n chance]

here's a couple of pictures from the day









sorry about the picture quality but the Mrs only had our small camera