Archive - Thursday, 7 March 2002


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Anger at post shake-up

POSTAL services in Penarth could suffer because of plans to centralise the industry, a local councillor has claimed.

Cllr Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru's Vale Council spokesman, said 30,000 jobs are at risk across the UK because of Consignia's plans.

The company is considering reducing its employee costs by 15 percent, a sum totalling £1.2 billion.

Cllr Franks said: "Not one of the Data Entry Centres is based in Wales. We have been excluded from any serious investment plans."

Cllr Franks is blaming local Labour Assembly Members for "failing to help protect postal services in Wales".

He said: "Local Vale AMs are quick enough to jump on the bandwagon when there is a threat to close a sub post office. But when the whole of the postal service is under attack they are silent."

He said there will be major job losses at sorting offices, counters and parcel depots in Wales.

He added: "It is vital the National Assembly speaks out to support this vital public service. We are outraged that the Labour/Lib Dem coalition seems to be going back on a promise to discuss the proposals.

"Such a situation needs examination. The Labour/Liberal government is ashamed it has done nothing to intervene in this matter and therefore fears a public debate."