'Intransigent' Post Office bring dispute closer

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Post Office bosses were warned yesterday that they risk provoking yet another industrial dispute unless they honour existing pay agreements and "make a fair offer" for this year.


Speaking after the fourth round of national talks with the business, CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey said: "The meeting was a waste of time due to the intransigent attitude displayed by the management.

"They were simply not interested in anything the union had to say on behalf of our Crown members and it seemed to our team that the Post Office had only attended in order to repeat what they told us before - no money until the Crown Network 'breaks even'."

"Unless there is swift and significant change of tone, attitude and position, then yet another national dispute will be inevitable."
Andy Furey

CWU negotiators describe this position as "simply unacceptable" and are also accusing the business of trying to "wriggle out" of paying monies already agreed and owed from the previous national pay agreement.

"These were payments of up to 3.4 per cent of basic salary that had been promised by the business in return for the delivery on our part of various cost savings and efficiencies," Andy explained. "Our members kept our side of the deal, but the Post Office appears to be reneging on - or wriggling out of - theirs."

By contrast, Andy continued, the CWU's position is "honest and straightforward.

"We want a fully consolidated and unconditional pay rise of at least 1.9 per cent from April 2015, and for payment of the agreed monies from the 2013/2015 deal."

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A strongly worded letter is now being sent to the Post Office chief executive Paula Vennells, urging her to intervene and resolve the row.

"Unless there is a swift and significant change of tone, attitude and position, then yet another national dispute will be inevitable," Andy warned.