CWU expects its post office plan to be rejected

The union which represents postal workers says it expects its proposal to keep crown post offices in Ramsey and Douglas in their current homes will be rejected.

Communication Workers Union national officer Terry Pullinger yesterday met Chief Minister Allan Bell and Policy and Reform Minister John Shimmin to discuss plans to transfer postal services to nearby Spar shops in the towns.

The CWU, which is strongly opposed to that, said it was a ‘genuine, free and frank exchange of views’ but suspects its submission will refused.

The future of the crown post offices in Ramsey and Douglas should be decided tomorrow (Thursday).

That’s when the Council of Ministers is due to assess both the CWU submission and a separate business plan to retain the Ramsey crown office in the town’s courthouse.

Although Mr Pullinger thanked the Chief Minister for the meeting and the respectful way in which he and his team were treated, he again criticised the consultation process, as well as the £2 million annual contribution paid to Treasury by Isle of Man Post – something he thinks should be replaced with a contribution more relevant to its financial performance, to allow the Post Office to prosper.

The crown offices in Douglas and Ramsey employ 19 people, who will be either made redundant or redeployed if the offices are transferred.