Post privatisation

The CWU communication workers’ union has threatened to ballot its members for disaffilation from the Labour Party if the privatisation of the postal service goes ahead.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: “Privatisation of Royal Mail is a totemic issue for postal unions CWU and Unite.” And he described the privatisation plans as “a defining moment in the relationship between the unions and the government.The relationship will be severely strained to breaking point.” An opinion poll on behalf of the CWU found that nine out of 10 members of the public were opposed to the plans.

And 89% disagreed with the idea of selling part of Royal Mail to a foreign company, while 75% disagreed that part should be sold to a private company.