Keep the post public
Chuka and Kate Hoey, MP for neighbouring Vauxhall, have joined forces with the Communications Workers Union to oppose the part privatisation of Royal Mail. Kate and Chuka joined Communications Workers Union members and officials last week in a demonstration against the proposed privatisation at the major Royal Mail sorting office in Nine Elms.
Chuka is supporting the alternative proposals for Royal Mail’s future outlined by Compass, the left wing pressure group on whose managing committee he sits. The plans recommend that Royal Mail be kept in public ownership as a non-for-profit body, following the model set by National Rail, which was established as successor to the failed privatisation of the railways under Railtrack. The proposals would give the Royal Mail access to both private and public resources and it would remain operationally separate from government in the same way as the BBC does.
Privatisation of Royal Mail could threaten jobs at distribution centres including Nine Elms and Streatham sorting offices. The universal service which Royal Mail offers would also be at risk with services cherry-picked on the basis of profit, rather than the benefit of all users. This week, it was announced that Royal Mail’s profits have doubled, with all parts of its business turning a profit. This undermines the case for part privatisations, reinforcing the fact that Royal Mail is far from being the failed organisation it has often been portrayed as.
Commenting on proposals for privatisation, Chuka said: “The Royal Mail plays an important role in all of our daily lives, and we deserve the best from it. Everyone, including Royal Mail employees, management and users, agree that modernisation and investment is necessary, but selling off the postal service is not the way to achieve these goals. Modernisation doesn’t have to mean privatisation.”
Greg Charles, secretary of the CWU London South West (Postal) Branch said: “The governments plan to part privatise Royal Mail coupled with management’s plans on modernisation will lead to a worsened service, failing collections and failing deliveries, whilst profits will be siphoned of by our competitors. Our members across South London are living with the fear of cuts in jobs, cuts in earnings and an uncertain future.”
Read more about Compass’ proposals for Royal Mail’s future here.
