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07/02/2006
Businesses call on government to end postal strike
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has today called on Enterprise, Trade & Investment Minister Angela Smith to intervene in the ongoing Royal Mail strike.
Local businesses hard hit by the action which has dragged on into a second week want to see an end to the dispute, which is affecting postal deliveries to thousands of small businesses across Belfast.
FSB Branch Chairman for North & West Belfast, Harry McGimpsey, today said: “The FSB has now had discussions with both Royal Mail and the CWU and encouraged both sides to go the extra mile to resolve this current strike which is causing considerable disruption to small business owners in much of Belfast.”
He continued: “Throughout Belfast our members are facing considerable disruption to their business and want to see this strike brought to an end before any further damage is done to the local economy. This is something that the Government cannot ignore any further.”
FSB member Barry Carson who runs a company that recycles toner cartridges and printers in North Belfast, has suffered a major blow as a result of the strike. He said: “Currently I am waiting for over £8,000 in cheques to be delivered which is owed to my business, and which is putting huge pressure on the cash flow of my business. In addition with not being able to post out small parcels to my customers as well, I estimate that I have lost over £1,000 in business in the last week, which is a big amount to a small business, which only employs nine people.
“It is hard enough in running a business in Northern Ireland without having to put up this disruption.”
Striking postal workers are expected to be advised to return to work today during a mass meeting with representatives from the Communication Workers Union.
Over 200 postal workers walked out of the Tomb street depot in Belfast last Tuesday, in an unofficial dispute with management relating to disciplinary procedures and alleged cases of bullying.
Since then, no post has been delivered to homes or businesses in North, South or West Belfast, with the East of the city remaining unscathed.
The dispute did spread to the Mallusk depot on Friday, but the majority of workers returned to work on Sunday night.
Staff involved in the protest have stated that they have no intention of returning to work until the original grievance has been resolved.
Customers requiring more information or advice, should contact the Royal Mail helpline on 08457 740740.
(EF/SP)
Local businesses hard hit by the action which has dragged on into a second week want to see an end to the dispute, which is affecting postal deliveries to thousands of small businesses across Belfast.
FSB Branch Chairman for North & West Belfast, Harry McGimpsey, today said: “The FSB has now had discussions with both Royal Mail and the CWU and encouraged both sides to go the extra mile to resolve this current strike which is causing considerable disruption to small business owners in much of Belfast.”
He continued: “Throughout Belfast our members are facing considerable disruption to their business and want to see this strike brought to an end before any further damage is done to the local economy. This is something that the Government cannot ignore any further.”
FSB member Barry Carson who runs a company that recycles toner cartridges and printers in North Belfast, has suffered a major blow as a result of the strike. He said: “Currently I am waiting for over £8,000 in cheques to be delivered which is owed to my business, and which is putting huge pressure on the cash flow of my business. In addition with not being able to post out small parcels to my customers as well, I estimate that I have lost over £1,000 in business in the last week, which is a big amount to a small business, which only employs nine people.
“It is hard enough in running a business in Northern Ireland without having to put up this disruption.”
Striking postal workers are expected to be advised to return to work today during a mass meeting with representatives from the Communication Workers Union.
Over 200 postal workers walked out of the Tomb street depot in Belfast last Tuesday, in an unofficial dispute with management relating to disciplinary procedures and alleged cases of bullying.
Since then, no post has been delivered to homes or businesses in North, South or West Belfast, with the East of the city remaining unscathed.
The dispute did spread to the Mallusk depot on Friday, but the majority of workers returned to work on Sunday night.
Staff involved in the protest have stated that they have no intention of returning to work until the original grievance has been resolved.
Customers requiring more information or advice, should contact the Royal Mail helpline on 08457 740740.
(EF/SP)
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