UK postal unions fear for future of industry

12/02/2005 - 19:50:39
British postal workers’ leaders warned today that the future of the UK's universal delivery system was under threat “as never before” as it raised fresh fears the service could be privatised.

Britain's Communication Workers Union said it wanted an “honest debate” about the future of the Royal Mail in an attempt to preserve the 350-year-old practice of delivering mail anywhere in the UK for the same price.

The union launched its blueprint for a publicly-owned Post Office at the British Labour Party’s spring conference by claiming that the service’s reputation had been tarnished by liberalisation.

Cost cutting, job losses and a restrictive regulatory regime had raised serious questions about the long term viability of the Royal Mail, said the union.