Hammersmith picket over Post Office Closures

As part of a national day of protest against Post Office closures and franchising of services to WHSmith, post office workers mounted a picket outside the store in Kings Mall. The Hammersmith post office is one of six branches that are due to close and transfer services to the retailer, but members of staff are not being transferred meaning the loss of 124 jobs.

Assistant Secretary Andy Furey of the Communication Workers Union said, "It is outrageous that the Post Office can treat long-serving skilled members of staff in this way. Collectively thousands of years of experience are being axed and scant provision for new services provided. Without our members we believe WHSmith cannot begin to replicate the standard of services the public expects from the Post Office. We are now encouraging local residents to boycott WHSmith to force them to reverse their decision to play a part in this desecration of the Post Office network.”

Union members and supporters picketed the store handing out leaflets encouraging shoppers to boycott the store and to write to WHSmith.

The move has been condemned by local MP Andy Slaughter and Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, Hammersmith & Fulham Council leader, said of the plans, "It makes no sense to move a well positioned popular post office out of the second busiest transport interchanges in London to a secluded off street location. Tucking a few counters away inside WH Smith will annoy and inconvenience everyone, especially older residents and wheelchair users"

A spokesperson for the Post Office has said the move to franchise out these services is designed to avoid the closure of loss making High Street branches.

August 21, 2006