Fight Royal Mail privatisation!

Bankers' snouts in the trough

A Royal Mail worker

Some of the investment banks being used by the government for the privatisation of Royal Mail are the very banks that created the global financial meltdown.

While millions are at the receiving end of austerity, these banks are in line for a big pay cheque of around Ł25 million as the Coalition rush through the stock market flotation of yet another public service.

Royal Mail bosses have been churning out the propaganda on why it needs "external investment", while at the same time ignoring the wishes of its workforce, the public and even their own managers - all of whom oppose privatisation.

We all know that under private ownership, Royal Mail will be lining the pockets of institutional investors rather than investing in a quality public service.

Having already sold his soul to the devil by getting into bed with the Tories, Business Secretary Vince Cable now seeks to divide the British public.

He thinks they should choose which services are more worthy then others, saying: "The public will always want to invest in schools and hospitals ahead of Royal Mail."

Unlike the fat cats and big business who avoid paying their fair share of tax, the working class have seen their overall taxes rise at the same time as public services have been slashed.

This government has no mandate to sell off our postal service and only an urgent all-out battle can stop it.

The CWU urgently needs to organise a nationwide demonstration against privatisation and link the pay dispute with other unions - calling for a 24-hour general strike.

Shareholders will come first

James Evans

Royal Mail is working very well under the capitalist economic system. The BBC has reported that: "There has been a strong recovery in profits over the past three years - from a loss of Ł165 million in 2011 to a profit of Ł324 million before tax last year."

We can attribute these profits to the huge increase in online shopping, and the 14p rise in the price of stamps in 2012.

What will this sell-off mean? It will not be the treasury that will see that Ł324 million - which could be used to fund the building of much-needed social housing for one thing - but the shareholders alone.

As soon as we bring these people in to the equation, it means that everything revolves around them. Don't be surprised if mail takes longer to arrive, or if it costs more, because it will be them who matter, and not us.

My father was a postal worker for 40 years. He retired when the Travelling Post Office was closed down on the grounds of cost.

If this privatisation is not stopped, we can expect to see many more cuts to our service in the near future.

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Finance appeal

The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.

The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.

The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.

The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.

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