CWU Breaking NewsPostal Workers at Alderley Edge Delivery Office in Cheshire are set to take industrial action on Christmas Eve in protest against the closure of the village’s mail facility.
The action by 15 CWU members – who belong to North West Central Amalgamated Branch – is the latest stage of an ongoing campaign to resist the imposed closure of the office and the relocation of its work to nearby Wilmslow.
As well as opposing the switch in principle, CWU members are furious at the methods used by Royal Mail bosses, who plan to carry out the changes without the agreement of the workforce.
Management intend to force the relocation through in the early part of 2008 without once having sought the input of union negotiators.
Earlier campaign initiatives saw over half the village’s 4,000 residents sign a petition opposing the move and, a couple of weeks before the industrial action, a demonstration – reportedly the biggest in Alderley Edge’s history - was held outside the office.
Executive council member Pete Keenlyside, divisional officer Ian Taylor, regional secretary Carl Webb and local branch secretary Dave Kennedy were joined by local politicians and residents, who turned out in force to support the retention of the local service.
Explaining the reason for the strength of feeling around the issue, Dave said: ‘’Our members are adamant that any move will result in a marked deterioration in the current service levels and will undoubtedly lead to a worsening of Working conditions for our members.
‘’We have given Royal Mail ample time to back off from this damaging plan,â€
