Two post shops could be closed
NEW Zealand Post wants to close two of its Dunedin post offices, according to a union organiser who represents store workers.
E Tu organiser Mike Kirwood said NZ Post was looking at shutting its post shops at the Dunedin North NZ Post and Kiwibank in Great King St, and the South Dunedin NZ Post and Kiwibank in King Edward St.
Mr Kirwood said staff had been informed and a 28day consultation period began last Tuesday, after which the company intended to seek a partner to host its postal outlets.
‘‘What they call substitution, where they’ll put a store up for franchise,’’ he said.
While the process was not yet a ‘‘done deal’’, and NZ Post had yet to find franchise partners, he expected there would be redun dancies among staff at the post shops.
The same process was begun last year in Alexandra, and the town’s post office operations were moved to a Paper Plus shop earlier this year.
Of the five workers formerly employed in Alexandra, only one had secured a fulltime job at the new franchise, Mr Kirwood said.
It was unclear how Kiwibank operations at the two city sites would be affected by the changes.
Mr Kirwood understood a new ‘‘standalone’’ Kiwibank was being proposed for the Dunedin CBD.
NZ Post general manager of channels and distribution Janet Selwood said in a statement the company had ‘‘entered into consultation with the NZ Post people who operate the box lobbies’’.
‘‘What I can say is that NZ Post is committed to staying in Dunedin, and providing these particular communities with postal outlets where people can send parcels, buy stamps and post letters.’’
Ms Selwood said the com pany already worked ‘‘successfully with local businesses who provide postal services for us’’.
‘‘One such example already operating is Dunedin Paper Plus in George St.
‘‘It also allows us to maintain our involvement in local communities, supporting their needs while managing our overheads.’’