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by ROISIN GADELRAB
 
Staff vote to strike over PO switch

Franchise move sparks protest

COUNTER staff have voted to take strike action over the switch of Kentish Town post office to a franchise operation.
Services at the Kentish Town Road branch, due to become a Shieldex franchise from February 13, will be disrupted for at least one day as clerical members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) across north London take to the streets in protest at the privatisation of post offices.
This week counter staff in north London recorded a 78 per cent vote in favour of industrial action after 500 members were balloted. A date for the action has still to be set.
Union leaders say the strike will take place on a date close to the handover to Shieldex.
Counter staff face being moved to other offices or forced to take on new contracts under Shieldex.
They fear job losses and pay cuts and say they are concerned about the office closing after the franchisee’s minimum contract runs out.
Ian Ward, CWU national executive council member, said: “We’re very pleased with the vote. It shows members aren’t prepared to accept continual closures of Crown offices.”
The ballot was taken after offices in Mill Hill and Hendon, as well as Kentish Town, were faced with privatisation.
Mr Ward said: “Our members have had enough of Crown office closures. It’s a public concern industry – run by the government for the people – and by putting it in private hands they’re taking it away from the people.”
Post Office spokeswoman Martine Munby said: “A relatively small number of post offices will be affected because the vast majority of our branches are not directly managed branches, they are run by sub-postmasters.
“We’re confident we’ll be able to keep services running. We would like to reassure customers that we will be working to resolve any differences.”
 
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