Put service not competition first, says CWU at postal confer

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Put service not competition first, says CWU at postal conference

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The UK's regulatory experience should serve as a stark warning to those who value a quality Universal Postal Service, CWU tells an international conference on postal economics today (Friday).

The Conference on Postal and Delivery Economics brings together economists, academics and industry stakeholders from across the world. CWU is the biggest union for the UK postal industry and hopes its research will act as a cautionary tale for other administrations.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "UK regulators have recklessly put competition ahead of the importance of Universal Service provision and that's what we're sharing with international industry stakeholders today. It's a sobering tale which we hope they'll take note of.

"We've been making these arguments for years, but only now do business leaders appear to be listening to our concerns, and this in the face of rising prices and scaling-back the UK's delivery network.

"A different approach to regulation is needed in the UK if we are to preserve our end-to-end delivery network and keep a quality delivery network for customers across the UK."

The conference is hosted by the Centre for Research in Regulated Industries, part of the Rutgers Business School. Attendees include UK and international mail companies - Royal Mail, UPS, DHL among others - trade unions, economists, academics and consultants.

0CWU head of international relations John Baldwin explains: "Our research paper takes stock of the UK's experience of regulation.

"UK regulators have consistently put competition first and this has had a damaging effect on postal services. What we're arguing for is a Service First approach. Service First is not an argument against increasing efficiency, or an entrenched position based on protecting narrow self interest. It is a call for caution, and most importantly, it is a position based on respect for the value people place on the postal service.

"We hope that other stakeholders will be able to learn from the sobering reality of the UK experience."

CWU is the largest trade union for postal workers in the UK with members in Royal Mail, Parcelforce, Post Office, and UK Mail.