News

One of UNI's UK affiliates, UNITE, has issued the following press release on the long awaited "Hooper" report into the operations of Royal Mail. The report which advocates partial privatisation of Royal Mail, can be found at;

http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/sectors/postalservices/Review/page45129.html

Unite reacts cautiously to the Hooper Report

17 December 2008

Unite the Union representing Royal Mail managers today (Wednesday 17th) gave a cautious welcome to the long anticipated independent report produced by Richard Hooper and his colleagues.

· Unite welcomes the commitment to the universal service and the fact that it has been recognised that Royal Mail is best placed to provide this.

· Unite is opposed to the full blown privatisation of Royal Mail and will want to explore with BERR what the likely affect a minority partner will have on Unite members and the service to the public.

· Unite recognises that the commitment to solving the pensions fund deficit issue is positive and will allow Royal Mail to concentrate on improvements in efficiency and productivity issues.

· Unite also welcomes the recognition in the Hooper Report of the past failures in industrial relations and looks forward to improved engagement between management and the trade unions.

Paul Reuter, Unite national officer for the Royal Mail Group said, "There are not too many surprises in the report but the devil is in the detail and we will be looking to ensure that our voice is heard during the deliberations of BERR before it makes its policy announcements in the new year."

Brian Scott, Assistant National Secretary for Unite said, "The Hooper Report confirms the failure of Royal Mail senior executives to prepare the organisation for the future. Unite members have had to bare the brunt of ongoing job cuts for the last 5 to 6 years."

Unite also calls upon Royal Mail to enter into immediate debate about the number of jobs required to meet the universal obligation.