People Before Profit have slammed the proposed closures of Post Office branches
Foyleside Councillor Shaun Harkin says the Post Office is a vital service for communities.
He says: “The recent announcement of potential closure of 115 Post Office branches, including the General Post Office (GPO) in Derry, is deeply concerning.
“This decision threatens not only the livelihoods of around 1,000 workers but also the essential services that these branches provide to communities.
“The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has strongly condemned these closures, calling for immediate government intervention.
“CWU General Secretary Dave Ward highlighted the insensitivity of this move, especially in the wake of the Horizon scandal, which already tarnished the Post Office’s reputation.
“The union’s response underscores the critical role that these branches play in local communities, providing vital services that go beyond mere postal transactions.
“The Horizon scandal is a stark reminder of the systemic failures within the Post Office.
“Between 2000 and 2014, hundreds of sub-postmasters were wrongfully accused of theft, fraud, and false accounting due to faults in the Horizon IT system.
“Many faced financial ruin, criminal convictions, and even imprisonment. The scandal exposed severe flaws in the Post Office’s management and oversight, leading to a significant loss of trust among the public and within the organisation itself.
“The privatisation of Post Office counters and the fragmentation of the postal service have had disastrous consequences.
“Since the separation of Royal Mail and Post Office Ltd in 2012, the network has faced significant challenges.
“The National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP) warned that the success of this separation depended on substantial government support, which has not happened .
“Figures illustrate the extent of this decline. In 2010, there were nearly 400 Post Offices directly owned by the Post Office.
“Today, only 115 remain, with the rest either closed or transferred into the private sector.
“This reduction has not only led to job losses but also diminished the accessibility and quality of postal services for many people, particularly in rural and underserved urban areas.
“The privatisation and subsequent restructuring have also led to increased costs and inefficiencies.
“The separation of Royal Mail from Post Office Ltd has created a more aggressive business environment, with Royal Mail seeking to cut costs and increase profits, often at the expense of service quality and accessibility.
“These planned closures are a result of the sell off of Royal Mail.
“We must fight to protect these vital community hubs and ensure that these Post Offices remain in public service serving the needs of the people not the greed of the bosses.
“Derry has had enough services stripped away.
“We will fight alongside the post office workers, the people who depend on the services provided and the CWU to save our GPO.”
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