Post Office bosses look to franchise
Round two in fight to save facility is ready to start
Co n t r ove r s i a l p l a n s t o franchise East Kilbride’s t own centre Post Office have been resurrected.
Just 18 months after ma n a g e me n t r e v e r s e d t h e i r decision to franchise the branch they are again on the hunt to find a private partner.
Staff at the Cornwall Street Post Office were last week informed of the decision.
Stunned members of the Communication and Workers Union ( CWU) say f ranchising w o u l d l e a d t o a d i mi n i s h e d service for customers and poorer pay and conditions for staff on top of job losses.
The l a s t bat t l e t o s t op East K i l b r i d e ’s ma i n P o s t O f f i c e becoming a f r a nchi s e, which rumbled on for over two years and won wide public support, now looks set to begin again.
Discussions regarding ballots for strike action are already under way and CWU nationail officer Andy Furey said there was a serious risk of East Kilbride losing the service.
He told the News: “East Kilbride Crown Post Office has been brought back from the brink once before and now the staff and community face losing this valued service all over again with plans to close it and privatise the service in a franchise agreement.
“We ’ v e s e e n n o t h i n g b u t privatisation, cuts and systematic downgrading of the service.
“It’s depressing and we’re left wit h no opti on but t o c al l f or strike action for the second time in three years in defence of jobs and services.
“When we campaigned to keep East Kilbride office open in 2013 the public and politicians were overwhelmingly behind us and the staff.
“The packed public meeting we held brought together people from across the community who value this service and the people who deliver it.
“We d o n’ t b e l i e v e t hat ha s changed and we are challenging the Post Office on their closure plans and reminding them of their responsibility to provide quality services to the community of East Kilbride.”
EK MP Lisa Cameron called for assurances that the service would remain open, telling the News: “If a franchise offer is made, I hope that the people of East Kilbride make their views known through any public consultation.
“The c ur re nt Pos t Of f i c e i s in a highly accessible position, and any move must t ake i nt o c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h e i mpact o n elderly and disabled constituents, as well as ensuring the invaluable services offered are maintained.”
MSP for East Kilbride Linda Fa b i a n i a l s o e x p r e s s e d h e r d i s a p p o i n t ment, a f t e r b e i n g involved in the previous campaign to save the office.
She said: “This is a resource really appreciated by East Kilbride residents and having the Crown facility in a town the size of East Kilbride is well-justified.
“Experienced Crown staff must be devastated at this renewed uncertainty over their careers.”
A Post Office spokeswoman cl ai med t hat t he move was t o help secure the future of the East Kilbride ser vice rather than to hinder it.
She also noted no final decision had been made and local plans will be developed and shared in due course, with details of public consultations to be revealed at a later date.
“We know keeping Post Office branches on high streets is hugely i mpor t a nt t o p e o p l e. I n E a s t Kilbride we need to operate more cost effectively so we can protect services into the future,” said the spokeswoman.
“Locating branches alongside retail businesses is a proven and successful way t o provide our ser vices and frequently brings customers the benefit of longer opening hours.
“Most of the Post Office’s vast network of over 11,500 branches are already run on a franchise or agency basis with retailers.
“Changes to the Post Office’s Crown branch network are part of a major modernisation programme that is transforming every part of the Post Office.
“Ac r o s s i t s w i d e r n e t wo r k , the company has transformed thousands of branches and bro ug ht unpre c e de nt e d e a s e of access f or c ust omers, wit h t he c ompany now t he l ar gest retailer open on a Sunday – 3800 branches are now open seven days a week.”