Protests on hold after Royal Mail agrees to review

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/story-17959 ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



BATTLING postal workers have called off a second strike on Saturday to fight the planned closure of Cromwell Road delivery office, after Royal Mail bosses announced a new three-week review.

But protests will start again, and may even go to Canterbury, if the office is shut on February 11.

A separate community guerrilla action was also planned for Saturday, with residents asked to block their letter boxes and put up posters saying they wanted their mail returned to the delivery office and redelivered on Monday.

But in 11th-hour talks with Royal Mail bosses, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) secured the review.

Two weeks ago more than 300 people marched through Whitstable wearing red in solidarity with the striking postal workers.

Just three days later Royal Mail bosses fixed a date for the delivery office move to Canterbury.

Union boss David Banbury said the announcement "antagonised the work force", adding: "We don't think the date is practical or achievable. It's an intimidation of staff after strike action."

Mr Banbury, regional secretary for the Kent branch of the CWU, met Royal Mail bosses on Monday. He believes money can be saved without moving the office or losing jobs.

He said: "We never accepted closure of local delivery offices and we believe there's an alternative. If the move goes ahead without agreement from the union, there will be a reaction."

Around 36 out of 50 workers at the Cromwell Road office are union members.

Union rep and Whitstable postie Chris Stone said: "Royal Mail may claim to be in deployment phase of this move but it would appear to be unprepared for it, especially regarding parking issues and revision to the work procedure.

"To attempt to push through this move on February 11 would be madness.

"I don't think the company understands the nature of this town and the determination, imagination, enterprise and creativity of its residents in resisting what is clearly an absurd move.

"This issue isn't just about Whitstable. It's about the air quality in Canterbury and the quality of life with all the existing congestion around the office in Military Road."

He added: "We're glad to be talking to the management at last."

Community organiser Julie Wassmer said: "This is a David and Goliath situation in which a small town and its postal workers are taking on a massive company."

Royal Mail spokeswoman Sally Hopkins said: "At talks (on Monday), the Communication Workers Union and Royal Mail have agreed to a joint review to provide clarity about the consultation that has already taken place and to provide further assurances to our employees.

"This review will be completed within three weeks and will take place under the auspices of the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS). It will look at a number of elements, including parking facilities and the arrangements for non-delivered items of mail.

We are pleased that CWU has said that there will be no further industrial action at Whitstable whilst the review is under way."

[nuttyboy]

all this is is a stalling tactic and royal mail are secretly bringing in the changes behind our backs , when the three week consultation ends you can guarantee they will tell us the move is still on . then they will announce a move date with or without an agreement.