Public support for Post Office counters strike

Post Office Counters staff are usually very moderate but 73% voted for industrial action because of Crown Office closures, job losses and real pay cuts.

Liz Morton, Sheffield Counters CWU rep

The staff at Sheffield Crown Office picketed outside Castle House on the first two strike days, giving leaflets to the public and explaining details of the dispute. The reaction of the people of Sheffield, especially regular customers, was fantastic.

Over the two mornings, 600 people signed our petition in support of postal and post office workers in our dispute with management. They all showed real concern about closures and many said we should have more pay, not less.

All Sheffield counter staff were on strike. Staff from Rotherham, who had been flooded out of their own Crown Office, joined us on the picket line and one woman joined the union there and then.

In South Yorkshire alone 100 new members have signed up to the CWU since the ballot. Socialist Party members helped to distribute leaflets and talked to pickets and the public.