Stamp prices 'inevitable result of competition' says CWU

[POSTMAN]

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/stamp-p ... s-cwu.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Responding to today's Ofcom announcement regarding greater commercial freedoms for Royal Mail, including the ability to raise prices, the Communication Workers Union says that this is the "inevitable result of competition" and of the effect that privatisation has on public services.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "Today's announcement from Ofcom is the natural progression towards full competition and privatisation of postal services where customers pay more and efficiencies are sought in the interests of profit not services. It's an announcement for business not consumers, with vulnerable and low-income consumers protected by second class service price constraint. Second class tells you all you need to know.

"Those people who baulk at the idea of stamp price rises should understand that it comes directly from government decisions to privatise this industry - just as we've seen massive price increases in train travel under privatisation. Commercial freedoms may be good for the company but it could come at the cost of affordability and access to services for many. Price rises are the inevitable result of competition."

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Giving Royal Mail the ability to raise prices will go some way to rebalancing the years of underinvestment in the industry and addressing the unfair restrictions which competition put on the company. Competition set Royal Mail up to fail.

"However, we are concerned about the affordability of the Universal Service, especially for social customers, small businesses and low income families. The mail industry has a bright future because of the rise in internet shopping and the deliveries that generates, but the traditional letters business is changing rapidly. Our main concern is to ensure high quality services and full-time jobs for postal workers. Pricing has an important role to play in that with support from the regulator for the Universal Service."

[fishtank]

Price rises baaaaad...but goooooood...but baaaaaaad...make up your mind ffs.

[Chimps_tea_party]

Ms Greene should choose her words more carefully...

'Royal Mail's chief executive, Moya Greene defended the price increases, saying that the Universal Service (one price anywhere) would otherwise be under threat and that stamps still cost less than the price of a chocolate bar.'

(source: Hellmail 27/03/12)

I may need to post ten letters, but I'm certainly not going to buy ten Mars Bars in one go.

[Tman]

That's the problem with using comparitive analogies, someone will always take them too literally...
She should have said that the price rises were the result of the idiot middle-class politicians we've had to suffer allowing the profitable aspects of RM to be grabbed while leaving Joe Public to pay increased postage costs for a worse service, and less overall profit for the country..and left it at that.
Although she could have added that things will get much worse after privatisation, so get used to higher costs/decreased service.

[Chimps_tea_party]

Less succinct but more accurate!

[DGP1]

Ms Greene should choose her words more carefully...

'Royal Mail's chief executive, Moya Greene defended the price increases, saying that the Universal Service (one price anywhere) would otherwise be under threat and that stamps still cost less than the price of a chocolate bar.'

(source: Hellmail 27/03/12)

I may need to post ten letters, but I'm certainly not going to buy ten Mars Bars in one go.

I would

[stokes11eg]

http://www.cwu.org/news/archive/stamp-p ... s-cwu.html

Responding to today's Ofcom announcement regarding greater commercial freedoms for Royal Mail, including the ability to raise prices, the Communication Workers Union says that this is the "inevitable result of competition" and of the effect that privatisation has on public services.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "Today's announcement from Ofcom is the natural progression towards full competition and privatisation of postal services where customers pay more and efficiencies are sought in the interests of profit not services. It's an announcement for business not consumers, with vulnerable and low-income consumers protected by second class service price constraint. Second class tells you all you need to know.

"Those people who baulk at the idea of stamp price rises should understand that it comes directly from government decisions to privatise this industry - just as we've seen massive price increases in train travel under privatisation. Commercial freedoms may be good for the company but it could come at the cost of affordability and access to services for many. Price rises are the inevitable result of competition."

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Giving Royal Mail the ability to raise prices will go some way to rebalancing the years of underinvestment in the industry and addressing the unfair restrictions which competition put on the company. Competition set Royal Mail up to fail.
Does this man and his side kick have to keep on repeating almost parrot fashion --the words of Royal Mail.
"However, we are concerned about the affordability of the Universal Service, especially for social customers, small businesses and low income families. The mail industry has a bright future because of the rise in internet shopping and the deliveries that generates, but the traditional letters business is changing rapidly. Our main concern is to ensure high quality services and full-time jobs for postal workers. Pricing has an important role to play in that with support from the regulator for the Universal Service."

[Chimps_tea_party]

I may need to post ten letters, but I'm certainly not going to buy ten Mars Bars in one go.

I would

I fear for your waistline, DGP!