The National Executive Council of the CWU today decided that we would join in a Europe wide protest against the European Commission’s proposals to fully open up the postal markets to competition.  This European wide protest is being organised through our international organisation UNI and will see demonstrations at all major European Post Offices at lunchtime on Wednesday, 6th June 2007.  In order to support this simultaneous protest it has been decided by the Executive Council that all company staffed offices will be closed between the hours of 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. with the attached notice displayed for all customers.  In Dublin there will be a demonstration outside of the GPO between 1.00 p.m. and 2.00 p.m. during which a letter of protest will be read by a senior union official.

As previously outlined, the present Commission proposals if introduced without any safeguard will lead to the destruction of the Universal Services Obligation which ensures all citizens get daily deliveries at a uniform price.  This demonstration follows hot on the heels of a European Trade Union demonstration which is to take place in Berlin on 30th May 2007. 

I would therefore be most obliged if all of the Branches concerned would make the necessary arrangements to ensure the closure of the offices to which they are attached to and that all Dublin Branches would endeavour to ensure a presence at the protest outside of the GPO. 

We are now on the verge of a decision in relation to this extremely important matter and under no circumstances should we at this late stage be found wanting.

Enquiries from members relating to the above should be referred to Joe Guinan or Sean McDonagh