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Postal Workers' Union Threatens Strike Over Plan to Cut 30,000 Jobs The Associated Press Published: Dec 12, 2001

LONDON (AP) - The union that represents most of Britain's postal workers said Wednesday it may strike unless managers withdraw a plan to cut as many as 30,000 jobs, or 15 percent of the work force. John Keggie, deputy general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said he would ask the union's executive for a nationwide strike ballot if the job cuts were not reversed by midday Thursday.

Consignia, the semi-privatized company that runs Britain's postal services, announced Tuesday that it would cut as many as 30,000 jobs over the next 18 months.

The job losses follow a reduction of around 10,000 in the semi-privatized organization's 200,000 staff over the past year, as the group tries to reduce costs in the face of increasing competition and huge losses.

"There is a feeling of absolute disgrace and anger about yet another slap in the face for postal staff," said Keggie, whose union represents 180,000 postal workers.

"People now don't know if they will be in a job next year."

Consignia was incorporated in March as a government-owned public company that could borrow, invest and take part in joint ventures.

It said its operating losses rose fourfold to 100 million pounds ($143 million) in the first six months of the year.

Consignia has blamed its losses on the uncertain economic climate, the costs and delays of Britain severe rail infrastructure problems and the rise of e-mail and mobile phone text messaging.

Chief executive John Roberts, who announced the cuts to a parliamentary select committee, said Wednesday the figure of 30,000 job losses was only "indicative."

"I don't expect it to be higher than that. It could well be a lot less," he told British Broadcasting Corp. radio.

The company said it hopes most of the job cuts will come through voluntary severance and by contracting out cleaning and catering services.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Answers

Response to Postal Workers threaten strike

Sorry... title should read British Postal Workers...

Dang...

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Response to Postal Workers threaten strike

Got me to read it. LOL

One of the things we are bargaining for is the right to strike. It has been in the contract that we could not for some years now, but management has not shown any willingness to go to the bargaining table and talk about the contract, leaving it to the arbitration panel, so we put that in this time. Needless to say, management doesn't like it.

I'll fix your header.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Thanks Barefoot!

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001

Damn, haven't mailed cards yet, lol. Luckily, Dad's package has arrived already.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2001