Strike action in Poitou-Charentes over threat of privatisation

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Postal workers went on strike on Tuesday, over plans being formulated by the postal services president Jean-Paul Bailly to partially privatise La Poste by 2011, in line with an EU directive on liberalising postal services. 

Unions warn that 12,000 post offices will close with thousands of job losses, as up to 30% of the state-run postal service could be sold-off.   La Poste could raise between 2.5 and 3.5 billion euros through the sale, although the government would remain the major shareholder.  Opponents claim that rural areas of France in particular could be hit the worst by the move, which is planned to fit in with an EU deadline of liberalising postal services across all 27 member nations by 2011. 

La Poste is seen as part of the national heritage, and it is viewed by many as part of daily life.  Most rural communities have access to a local post office (along with a town hall and a church), and it is viewed by many as a prized institution.  

Whilst unions claimed that 40% of the 300,000 workers walked out during the one-day strike, management claimed that the figure was nearer 25% nationally.  In Poitou-Charentes, there were a number of protests staged, with between 25% and 30% of workers said to have supported the strike action.

In Angoulême, more than 300 protestors gathered outside La Poste, and invited motorists to sign a letter intended for Jean-Paul Bailly, the post office chief.  The letter underlined the rural nature of Charente, and expressed concerns that more post offices would disappear.   A similar number of people gathered to protest in La Rochelle, expressing grave concerns over the future of services in rural areas, such as the smaller communities in rural Saintonge.  Protests were also planned in both Poitiers and Châtellerault.

The main concern is that privatisation brings a requirement for profit, and this can be at odds with the current philosophy of serving the community.  Less profitable offices will be sacrificed, and services outside of the main towns will be affected.  There are also concerns over terms and conditions for existing workers under a privatised company, and whether or not a single-tariff for delivery of mail anywhere in the country would be retained.

Luc Chatel, the secretary of state for industry said "the government has not reached a decision and wants to hear all views."  A commission set up by Nicolas Sarkozy will report back in November with recommendations on the future of the postal services.