4-12-02

Barrett backs Communication Workers against Postcomm plans

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today supported the Communication Workers Union (CWU) during their lobby of Parliament against Postcomm's proposals for new price charges.

Mr Barrett met with Scottish representatives of the Union to hear their concerns over new price controls which Postcomm have linked to the Royal Mail's 1p increase in the cost of a 1st and 2nd class stamp. The CWU are concerned that such controls will in fact leave the Royal Mail in a worsened financial situation.

In a statement, John Barrett MP said:

"I was delighted to be able to meet CWU representatives from Edinburgh and across Scotland during this mass lobby. Clearly Postcomm and the Westminster Government who support these proposals have a great deal of work to do to convince those who work in the postal industry that these price controls will not further damage the finances of Royal Mail.

"Only the Royal Mail delivers mail to every home in the country and at one price. There are now very real worries that this could be undermined if the current Postcomm proposals to introduce more competition into the industry get the go-ahead.

"If passed, these plans could spell disaster for the postal industry, its customers and its staff."

ENDS