Posties deliver message: Service is under threat

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THE threat to Islington’s postmen and women will be highlighted on a day of action at Angel on Monday to mark Britain’s first ever National Postal Workers Day.

Islington’s two Labour MPs, Jeremy Corbyn and Emily Thornberry, along with other supporters, are expected to attend an event outside the Almeida Street Delivery Office, off Upper Street, at 8am.

Postal staff at the once-bustling office have been reduced from 1,400 to 200 in recent years.

Monday is also the busiest day of the year for postal workers when they have to sort through millions of cards and packages in time for Christmas.

Jim Kirwan, regional secretary of the Communication Workers Union, is helping to organise the event.

He said: “The aim is to remind the public that the postal service that they rely on will be diminished further under plans to privatise Royal Mail.

“We’ve already lost about 30,000 postal jobs over 10 years, including hundreds in Islington. Today Mount Pleasant Sorting Office in Clerkenwell does the work of 10 former sorting offices.

“People have always relied on the fact that there is a statutory duty to deliver letters and packages. We do not believe that this can be guaranteed under privatisation, which could be introduced as early as next year.”

Alan Tate, political officer with the union, said there was also the worry that privatisation would mean less security vetting of postal workers and training.

“Despite the internet and email, more letters and parcels are being sent through the post than ever before,” he said.

“Our union wants to protect jobs and the reputation of this noble profession.

“Security needs to be upheld when credit cards and passports are being sent in the post. When corners are cut to save money standards will often disappear.”