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The UK Parliament has debated the privatisation of Royal Mail in the 3rd reading of the Postal Services Bill and passed the Bill on to the House of Lords. The Communication Workers Union says that government MPs have missed the opportunity to safeguard post offices and postal services by not backing key amendments.



Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: "We're very disappointed that MPs didn't take the opportunity to safeguard post offices in today's parliamentary session. However, 6 MPs did recognise the importance of amending the Bill to safeguard post offices and voted against the government.



"MPs from all parties spoke in favour of amendments showing the breadth of concern across the House. We will continue to campaign for protection for postal services and post offices as the Postal Services Bill moves into the House of Lords."



CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward added: "This vote strengthens our determination to fight the government's Bill. We'll be protesting in Ed Davey's constituency on 22nd January, making our voice heard when it comes to the future of the postal industry.



"There are wide-reaching implications from this legislation. In its current form it threatens the ongoing modernisation of Royal Mail and will destabilise the progress made to date. It also threatens the jobs, terms and conditions of our members and we'll do whatever it takes to defend against the damaging effects of privatisation."

The UNI General Secretary Philip Jennings has written to the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, demanding that he stop the privatisation and pointing out that privatisation has always meant a degrading of the quality of postal services wherever it has been undertaken. UNI has said that the postal should remain in public hands and any issues regarding the future development of Royal Mail should be discussed with the UK unions.



A copy of the UNI letter is attached.