Strike action continues across the Barnet borough over posta

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Strike action continues across the Barnet borough over postal dispute

http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/4713 ... l_dispute/

4:02pm Saturday 31st October 2009
By Kevin Bradford »


SMALL pockets of protesting postal workers defied the early morning rain to form pickets outside delivery offices today.

Most turned up at what would be the start of their shift, about 5.30am, to show their solidarity during the strike action, which has entered the third day of the second wave.

At sites across the borough, delivery and collection workers who are members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) joined the 77,000 other staff across the country who were on strike.

Displaying placards reading “negotiate not reiterate” and “defend postal services”, the workers stood outside delivery offices to talk to passers by to explain their plight.

At the East Finchley Office, in Market Place, a banner was hung on a car stating “N2 posties against job and service cuts”.

Peter Raffi, union representative at the office, said: “We aim to talk to the public and they seem very supportive of us.

“We are happy that we should be striking for what we believe in, we have got no other option.

“We do feel sorry for the public, we are customers of the Royal Mail ourselves, but we hope people will realise why we are doing it and why it is going on for so long.”

The disruption has caused huge backlogs of items, and the industrial action is set to continue with further strikes planned.

And Mr Raffi believes walk outs could go on until Christmas. He said: “If we were to back down now the whole strike action will have been a waste of time.

“People may turn against us if it goes on until Christmas but we are trying to preserve the service for them.”

Kevin Carey, deputy representative at the office, said: “People are feeling the effects, but they don't directly blame us.

“We are happy to modernise and understand there will be job losses but it can't be without negotiations.”

The CWU confirmed yesterday that unless a resolution is found, 121,000 postal workers UK-wide will join a 24 hour walk outs from 3am on Friday, November 6, and from 3am the following Monday.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said talks will continue next week.

"We advised Royal Mail and all those in the negotiations on Thursday that the CWU would be serving notice for further strike action,” he said.

"It is not necessary for this strike to take place and the union remains focused on reaching an agreement. We hope that Royal Mail will also now be equally focused.

"CWU is determined to reach an agreement or make enough progress to call off strike action next week."