Royal Mail & Post Office pensions latest

To: All Branches with Postal Members

Dear Colleague

PENSIONS - URGENT INFORMATION

The purpose of this LTB is to advise Branches of imminent developments on pensions. It was reported to both the Liverpool Policy Forum and Annual Conference that the Royal Mail Group and Post Office Limited had advised the Union that a further pension problem was looming.

The Union has today received formal proposals for Pension Changes from the Royal Mail Group and Post Office Limited. The proposals relate to the ongoing funding of accrued and future benefits within the Royal Mail Pension Plan. It does not affect pensions covered by the Government scheme.

We have been advised that all Royal Mail Group and Post Office Limited employees will receive a letter on Wednesday 29th May explaining the position of both companies. At this stage neither company has triggered the 60 day legal consultation, although we understand this will happen around the middle of June. Both companies have indicated that they are now seeking formal negotiations with the Union.

The Postal Executive will consider the formal proposals and its implications on privatisation when we meet next week.

As reported previously, it remains our position that if either Company trigger the 60 day legal consultation then the Union will call a Special Postal Group Conference or Policy Forum. Any attempt by either Company to introduce further pension changes by executive action will be opposed by all means necessary. This latest development has also been raised directly with the Government in our ongoing discussions with the Minister.

A more detailed LTB will be issued tomorrow which will include a letter to members to be handed out in the workplace. In the meantime, the content of this LTB should be immediately distributed to all representatives and workplaces.

This latest pension development is another reason why our members should vote yes in the consultative ballot. For our members in Post Office Limited it will only strengthen their resolve in our current dispute.

Any enquiries on the content of this LTB should be addressed to the DGS (P) Department.

Yours sincerely

Dave Ward
Deputy General Secretary (P