22 April 2009 - Steve Lawson - © Hellmail Postal News

The Communication Workers Union is to hold a May Day March and Rally as part of it's ongoing campaign to stop the partial provatisation of the Royal Mail.

The campaign, "Keep Royal Mail Public", is also supported by a growing number of Labour MPs, which now leaves the government having to rely on opposition votes to drive through it's controversial Postal Services Bill. The Bill could see around 30% of the state-owned operator sold to a competitor.

Earlier this year, MPs and CWU representatives released hundreds of balloons in central manchester, one balloon for each year the service had been in operation.

Billy Hayes, general secretary of the CWU, said:

"Royal Mail can and must have a successful future in full public ownership. We welcome modernisation, responsibility on pensions and the change of regulator but do not see the need for privatisation. This element of the Bill must be amended to ensure a successful future for the UK's postal industry."

The march begins at Clerkenwell Green EC1 at 12 noon and guest speakers will include Tony Benn, Dot Gibson NPC, John McDonnell MP, Sheila Bearcroft, GMB/TUC President and Steve Hart UNITE.

A Special Evening Celebration event at TUC, Congress House is to follow.

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