Government Scraps Privatisation Plans

The Communication Workers Union welcomed Lord Mandelson's statement, issued Wednesday 1st July, confirming that the Postal Services Bill will not be heard by Parliament.

Billy Hayes on Channel 4 News during the campaign against privatisationCWU general secretary Billy Hayes said: "The government has not only looked at market forces but has listened to the British public. Privatisation was a deeply unpopular suggestion from day one. We now look forward to resolving issues which remain around pensions, regulation and modernisation.

The CWU is as committed as anyone to improving industrial relations in Royal Mail. Now that this uncertainty has been lifted there is a great opportunity to step up a gear in modernising Royal Mail in the public sector.

It's important that the government doesn't walk away from Royal Mail. Changes are needed on modernisation, pensions, regulation and industrial relations which do not need primary legislation but which do need government support.

Lord Mandelson referred to the 2007 Pay and Modernisation Agreement. That is the very agreement that Royal Mail is ignoring and the union wants to return to in order to negotiate modernisation and improve industrial relations."

Celebrating the news and thanking all of those in the North West who had campaigned hard during the last few months, Carl Webb, NW Regional Secretary said in a text message to all campaigners:

"Excellent news that the Postal Services Bill will not be heard by Parliament. Many thanks for all your hard work. Now we have the small matter of improving I\R, resolving pensions, regulation and modernisation. But let's savour the moment. Many thanks Carl"

Many will now be taking heed of the Tory support for the principle of privatising Royal Mail and the accusation that the government are too weak to make decisions.

CWU members will therefore be well aware of the fight yet to come in the event the Tories get back into power at the next general election.

The battle has been won, but the war is not yet over!

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