Rural postmen threaten strike over transport

THE postal workers union in the Balearics gave a warning yesterday about possible strike action if working conditions for members in rural areas fail to improve. The reference was to postmen working in outlying districts, their vehicles and all the costs that are entailed to carry out their job, including the payment of petrol from their own pocket. The union sent a formal letter of complaint to Post Office president, Jose Damian Santiago in which current dissatisfaction was outlined and which detailed a list of “minimum” demands. The key requisite was an increase in the amount of payment for each kilometre covered in the postal network. The amount should include consideration of the mounting cost of fuel. Workers are also asking that the Post Office negotiate a group insurance to cover vehicles used by rural workers; and that car sale companies should offer advantageous prices to workers for vehicles used for work.