Post office pay and campaign.

TO: ALL BRANCHES WITH POSTAL MEMBERS

Dear Colleague

POST OFFICE: PAY 2012 AND BEYOND AND THE FUTURE OF THE CROWN OFFICE NETWORK – COMMUNITY CAMPAIGNS & RESOURCES 

Branches will be aware that the Post Office is planning to franchise / close up to 76 of our Crown Post Offices. This amounts to approximately 20% of the Crown Network, with the loss of over 800 jobs. 

As a consequence, our representatives and members have instigated high profile community campaigns at many of the Crowns impacted by the Post Office decision. To assist in making these campaigns as effective as possible, a campaign pack has been produced in conjunction with our communications department. 

“Protect the People’s Post Office” is the title of our campaign. Campaign packs will be sent to all of the Crowns earmarked for franchising and closure. The “Protect the People’s Post Office” strap line was used on posters and leaflets on Easter Saturday, day of action, as well as our other key message - “Keep the Crown in the Heart of Town”. On all of our campaign materials we have used the words “Post Office” inside a broken heart to symbolise the Post Office’s plans to rip apart this cherished network. 

The campaign pack includes an introductory letter explaining why we want to ensure maximum pressure is put on the Post Office through well-organised campaigns in communities which have Crowns earmarked for franchising. By all accounts the Post Office does not yet have franchise partners lined up and we need to gain the greatest support possible from the public, local politicians and media. Crown Post Offices play a vital role in the local community and are unrivalled in terms of quality of service and must be sustained for the long-term future. 

The pack also contains the following:

• Guide to campaigning

• Campaign brief

• Q&A section with answers to potential hostile questions

• Media brief and a draft press release

• Model letter to MPs

• Stickers 

• Leaflet for the public

• Posters

• Petition

Each of the documents contained within the campaign pack can be downloaded from our website: http://www.cwu.org/downloadable-resources.html Campaign packs have been provided to Regional Secretaries, Territorial Representatives and Area Representatives. 

Please send any enquiries to csinclair@cwu.org

Yours sincerely

Andy Furey Dave Ward

Assistant Secretary Deputy General Secretary Postal