BY CONOR SHARKEY
MEMBERS of the Northern Ireland Fire Service, union representatives and Strabane District Council members showed solidarity with striking postal workers this week.
The union members joined Royal Mail staff on the Castle Street picket line this week, as the postal dispute threatened to rumble on right into the festive period.
Although postal services were beginning to return to normal today (Thursday), the calm could be short lived, with further action earmarked for next week.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) called its members out earlier this year in protest at plans by Royal Mail which will see, among other things, employees having to work until they are 65 to receive their full pension.
Talks aimed at ending the discord broke down again on Monday, prompting fears that it could be a winter of discontent for millions of Royal Mail customers.
Speaking to the Strabane Chronicle, local CWU shop steward Stephen Kelly said he is hopeful that a solution could be found in the near future, however they weren't prepared to back down.
"One of the main reasons we are out on strike is our pensions. The way it works is that we put our contribution weekly and Royal Mail are supposed to do the same. But they haven't been doing that for years now, and as a result the pension fund has fallen into debt. To combat the debt, they are trying to get us to work until we are 65 instead of 60 to make up for their shortcomings. It's just one of the issues, but probably the most important," he said.
He added, "Royal Mail are treating staff with complete contempt. They are moving the goalposts all the time. They seem to think they can just dictate to us, but we aren't prepared to let that happen.
"Union representatives sat down with Royal Mail on Monday in the hope of ending the dispute but talks broke down again, largely because management continued to dictate. They know why we are on strike but they aren't prepared to compromise and it is very frustrating," he said.
Meanwhile, Gordon Brown has stepped into the feud, telling both sides that he wants staff back at work as soon as possible.
Mr Kelly said: "Gordon Brown has added to the pressure to get us around the table again, but another rolling strike is planned for next Thursday, while different departments are planning action for the Friday and Saturday. This looks set to rumble on for a while yet and all we can do is wait for instructions from union headquarters and hopefully something will give shortly," he said.
Speaking at a meeting of Strabane District Council on Tuesday, councillor Jarlath McNulty proposed that a letter of support be sent to striking Royal Mail staff.
"We know the recommendations for rural post offices in the long term and if it ends up that the staff get the hard end and lose their jobs as a result of closures, we will suffer as a largely rural district. I propose that a letter of support that the staff or Royal Mail's demands are met," he said.
