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The Forum > Article Comments > A postal strike in Britain is the war at home > Comments

A postal strike in Britain is the war at home : Comments

By John Pilger, published 29/10/2009

Postal workers deserve the support of all honest, decent people: they may be next on the list if they remain silent.

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In the past I found Pilger to be a hard read and at times a touch arrogant but perhaps it is because I am getting older and wiser he is pushing buttons with me, or it might be because I can ignore his more verbose moments.

I know quite a few victims of the drive to corporatization within Australia Post and recognising how far this mad rush to privatisation has gone in the UK we really don't want it here.

The grumpy old men series on the ABC revealed how dysfunctional a once glorious institution had become.

Here in Australia it is only by legislation we are only just keeping some greedy mitts off the core of our postal service.

I think it adds to the notion of an egalitarian nation when a letter can be posted from Broome (WA) to Boat Harbour (Tas) for 55 cents, even if as a result it costs us a touch more to mail one across town in the big smoke.

Well done Mr Pilger.
Posted by csteele, Friday, 30 October 2009 2:37:39 PM
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Thanks John for another great article on an issue which is as seminal to British democracy as the miners' strike in 84. Perhaps in an Australian context it is as seminal as the forthcoming (I hope) building industry strikes to prevent Ark Tribe being jailed for refusing to talk about what was talked about at a union meting. (I write on this on my blog.)

Once again, thanks John.
Posted by Passy, Saturday, 31 October 2009 5:18:18 AM
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We have to hold on to public assets, period! My mother, an old Brit, holidayed in the UK recently and a wayward letter, illegibly inscribed, found her, due to the supererogatory diligence of the local poat office master. I'm no friend of tradition, but I'm as paranoid about a world run by corporations as the tories are about socialism. Australia's post office has already made the transition, to all intents and purposes; it's just waiting to get floated. Australia's ABC also waits nervously in the wings.
We are entering an era of corporate governance--is this not patently obvious!
Don't listen to some of the p1ssants above, John.
"The man without a stamp is rich in spittle".
Posted by Squeers, Sunday, 1 November 2009 4:06:07 PM
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I guess there's one saving grace, csteele.

>>I know quite a few victims of the drive to corporatization within Australia Post and recognising how far this mad rush to privatisation has gone in the UK we really don't want it here.<<

Australia Post is owned by the people of Australia and run as a government business. It has not been privatized. It makes corporate profits, while providing a public service.

So your "victims of the drive to corporatization within Australia Post" were clearly not required, and were released in order that the organization as a whole survived.

So, which option would you have preferred?

The reduction-in-force that enabled the service to continue, or privatization?

The same enlightened approach to the UK Post Office could have the same result, and avoid the need for sentiment-dripping articles such as this, that miss the point that with proper management the service could become profitable.

But not, in reality, without "a few victims of the drive to corporatization". Stripped of its rhetoric, this is the truth that underpins Pilger's sob-story. Until and unless the business is run as efficiently as its competitors in the private sector, it will always be on the ropes.

After all, we've managed it.

>>I think it adds to the notion of an egalitarian nation when a letter can be posted from Broome (WA) to Boat Harbour (Tas) for 55 cents, even if as a result it costs us a touch more to mail one across town in the big smoke.<<

Community service, at a profit to the community.

All it takes is good management.
Posted by Pericles, Monday, 2 November 2009 7:18:50 AM
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Pilger should start a new career as a stand-up comic. This article is so out of touch with reality that it's genuinely funny. I can't wait for his article in support of Lyndon Larouche and some of his whacky ideas.
Posted by Bernie Masters, Monday, 2 November 2009 10:22:27 AM
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Dear Pericles,

While I get that it probably shouldn't make a loss Australia Post needs to make corporate profits because why?

It is a public service and some of that public service is unquantifiable and often not recognised until it is gone.

UK postal workers are paid well under US and Australian rates, have co-operated with three dramatic modernisation phases including layoffs and casualisation. I don't blame them for baulking now.

My 'victims' have had stress leave caused by management bullying and unrealistic demands.

Can I offer the following link as something worth reading on the issue. Gives a different perspective.

http://www.lrb.co.uk/v31/n18/roy-mayall/diary

If the cream of our city deliveries could be captured by the privateers then the prices would have to increase for the rest of the country. No universal obligation means more profits but we are all the poorer for it.
Posted by csteele, Wednesday, 4 November 2009 11:53:37 AM
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