Post Office strike: West Midlands workers in line for Christmas Eve action
Post Office workers in the Black Country are expected to take part in five days of strike action – including Christmas Eve – in a dispute over jobs, pensions and branch closures.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is embroiled in a long-running dispute over job losses, the closure of a final salary pension scheme and the franchising of Crown Post Offices – larger branches usually on high streets.
On December 3 staff at the branch on John Street, Willenhall ,and Darwall Street in Walsall were among hundreds in the country who took part in a 24-hour walkout.
The CWU has yet to confirm how many Black Country workers will join the picket lines next week, or which branches will be affected.
CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey said: "Our members want the Post Office management to pause its closure and privatisation programme, hold off on its planned pensions changes, and commit to sitting down with us and with the other key stakeholders of this Great British institution and, together, construct a lasting vision.
"We want to work together to build a positive future for the Post Office, its workforce and, of course, the people who we serve."
The Post Office said the vast majority of branches would not be involved in the action.
Kevin Gilliland, it's network and sales director, said: "We agreed with the CWU that we would resume talks, which have been ongoing throughout the summer, today.
"It will be business as usual in almost all of our network, with over 50,000 Post Office people on hand to support customers as they make preparations for Christmas."
