The Post Office has confirmed that 115 branches - including nine Scots stores - are at risk of closure. In addition bosses have said 1,000 members of staff are also at risk of losing their jobs as part of a "major overhaul". According to several reports the move was confirmed during a meeting this morning by Post Office chairman Nigel Railton.
As reported by the Daily Star , Mr Railton has confirmed that the long term goal is to change the company into a "fully franchised" business model. The majority of Post Office branches are already franchises, however the impending move will put those owned solely by the Post Office at risk of closure. No timescale has been given for the move but the announcement has gone down badly with the Communication Workers Union.
CWU boss Dave Ward said: "CWU members are victims of the Horizon scandal - and for them to now fear for their jobs ahead of Christmas is yet another cruel attack. While we are in the middle of a government review of the Post Office's future, the employer has embarked on its own strategic review. "It seems the Post Office has learned no lessons from its chaotic and uncoordinated mistakes of the past.
We call on the Post Office to immediately halt these planned closures and the attached consultations - which, historically, have been nothing but playing lip service - and engage with the CWU on protecting jobs and services. Edinburgh City Glasgow Haddington Inverness Kirkwall Saltcoats Springburn Way Stornoway Wester Hailes A.
