Commitments from firm aiming for Royal Mail takeover ‘not strong enough’ – union

Union officials have met with representatives of the EP Group, which is bidding to take over the postal giant

Postal workers’ leaders have raised concerns that the commitments made by the company aiming to take over Royal Mail are insufficient.

During a meeting described as “useful and constructive” with representatives from EP Group, officials from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) expressed their dissatisfaction. They plan further discussions, which will include Daniel Kretinsky, the Czech billionaire spearheading the multi-billion-pound bid.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward commented: “We made it very clear that the current commitments from EP Group are neither strong enough nor long enough. Daniel Kretinsky has openly stated he wants to own Royal Mail for the rest of his life we need commitments for the workforce that match that level of ambition.”

“The CWU put forward our wide-ranging concerns and also our view that we need to see a completely new ownership/business model for Royal Mail and one that gives all employees a real stake in the future of the business. Both parties have agreed to explore this further.”

Ward also highlighted ongoing issues within Royal Mail, stating: “Royal Mail have led a prolonged and deliberate attack on its own workforce which continues to this day in many workplaces. Representatives of EP Group understood the reality that unless the workforce are on board, the company will never succeed.”

Ward revealed that the union is stepping up efforts to engage with both the Government and Labour Party to ensure the takeover bid is “heavily scrutinised and debated”. He further added: “We do not support a foreign equity company taking over Royal Mail. At the same time, we have absolutely no confidence in the current board of the company.”

“Royal Mail should be renationalised but the political climate makes that very difficult at the moment. Our job now is to make sure our members voice is heard at every opportunity as this takeover bid unfolds.”