Euro MPs voice concern for Europe's postal services

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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The European Parliament's main progressive group, the Socialists and Democrats, today backed a European trade union demonstration in Brussels on liberalisation of postal services, to take effect on from 1 January next year.

Group spokesman on this issue, Saïd El Khadraoui of Belgium said: "We share the concerns voiced by workers both for jobs and for the future of postal services."

Brian Simpson, who chaired the all-party transport committee that is dealing with the issue said: "Social provisions and universal service obligations included in the last postal services liberalisation package seem to be being ignored by the European Commission."

M. El Khadraoui added: "We back more competition in postal services only if there are guarantees of service being available to everyone at a reasonable price.

"We also want safeguards for high level social conditions for postal workers".

"Post should be delivered to everybody at least five days a week, in towns and in remote areas. This must be done without hitting the pay and conditions of postal staff. Member states should focus on working conditions. They should have the right to impose conditions on the supply of postal services, such as compliance with employment conditions and social security schemes laid down in agreements negotiated by national social partners", said Silvia Ticau, vice-president of the transport committee.

"We will now formally ask the European Commission for report back on the impact of liberalisation rules across the 27 EU countries", she added.

Under and EU directive that takes effect from January 2011, postal services across the EU will be opened up to competition.

[POSTMAN]

Bit late now boys.

[Lounge Lizard]

Bit late now boys.

Yes, 'stable door' and 'horse bolted' springs to mind.

[westlondonpostie]

As we say down here, "No s**t Sherlock"!