As the Liberal Democrats under the leadership of Sir Ming Campbell vote to back what is effectively privatisation of Royal Mail, albeit dressed up in the gloss of share ownership, the leadership of the postal workers union has dealt a much bigger blow to the fight to defend public services.
On February 27, the Postal Executive of the Communications Union voted to co-operate with a management "efficiency review" which is expected to lead to the loss of around 40,000 jobs through automation and a decimation of the postal service. Worst of all, this rotten deal is not even being put to the membership.
This takes place in the context of the introduction of full competition having been introduced from January 1.
The Executive argued that management have "made major concessions on the issue of converting full time contracts to part time." There is no doubt that the defence of existing conditions is an important principle but this agreement does not achieve that - and no situation justifies selling jobs.
They also tie the deal to a new pay agreement where postal workers will get a bonus depending on the size of cuts ie job losses.
There is no doubt that postal workers want to see their pay increased to at least the national average - currently it is £80 per week below. But the idea that people will get more money according to how many of their workmates are made redundant is hardly a principle any real trade union could agree to.
Currently while a fair proportion of post goes through an automated sort to get it to your local office, it is then sorted by hand by local postal workers. Its very easy to notice when a job is being done by a casual worker because far more post goes missing. Under the new system almost all post will only be sorted mechanically.
Then there is the crazy new pricing system to be introduced in the summer by which letters and parcels will be priced not only by weight but by shape as well.
Both these things are likely to lead to a sharp reduction in Royal Mail's customers especially amongst commercial companies who may choose to pay slightly more to get a more reliable service.
The agreement between the postal workers union and management states that "both parties accept that there are no in principle objections to any proposals and active consideration will be given to all areas for savings". In other words, the trade union leadership will be actively involved in discussions to shed jobs, increase workload and reduce the service. Demontrators in Lahore, Pakistan under the banner of the Labour Party Pakistan on March 2 tell US President George Bush he is not welcome there and call for Hands off Afghanistan, Iraq, Cuba and Venezuela. duction of top-up fees, a percentage of which was to be paid to lecturers who have seen real wages decline by 40 percent over the last two Dunnes Stores is re-employing a shop steward