Post office franchising puts 400 jobs at risk

THE Post Office has announced that services at nearly 40 branches would be outsourced, putting 400 jobs in danger.

The 39 crown post offices are run directly by the government-owned Post Office, which owns 314 in total.

According to The Guardian, branches in Halifax, Beeston and Headingley in Leeds and Wakefield are among the 40 that are being outsourced.

The Communication Workers Union has said that 1,000 people in total could be affected and face either redundancy, redeployment or transfer of employment (TUPE) to one of the chosen franchise partners, as a further 50 branches will face closure in the next two years.

Three sites are set to close immediately: one in Wales, and two in Northern Ireland.

CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey said: “This is devastating news for many of our members, who have worked extremely hard to turn this company round.

“When Royal Mail was privatised, the Government said that they would keep the Post Office wholly in the public sector, but what is franchising if it’s not privatisation? And who gave the Post Office the authority to privatise?

“We will be vigorously opposing these plans, and we’ll also be asking why, if the Post Office is seeking ‘franchise partners’, the most obvious candidate isn’t being considered – Royal Mail.

“Surely the best way forward to protect the Crown Network is to re-unite with Royal Mail Group,” he continued, adding: “It’s clear that separation has been a massive mistake and we should bring Royal Mail and the Post Office back together in the public sector.”