Government relies on Royal Mail for Flu mailing

05.05.09

Members of the Communication Workers Union today (Tuesday) start delivering vital Swine Flu advice to every household in the UK in an operation that could only be fulfilled by Royal Mail’s universal service.

Billy Hayes, CWU general secretary, said: “Postal workers have worked through the bank holiday weekend to get this important mailing prepared for the UK’s 27 million households.

“It’s important that the government has chosen Royal Mail for this vital public mailing. It demonstrates the significance of the universal service in this increasingly digital age and the importance of Royal Mail.

“Printed material remains one of the most effective ways of distributing information and Royal Mail is the only company that can ensure that it reaches every household in the UK at an affordable price. Privatisation would threaten that.”

Two leaflets will be delivered to every household in the UK over the next seven days providing vital information about Swine Flu and how to combat the spread of the disease. Only Royal Mail has the ability to reach every one of the UK’s 27 million households.

The CWU opposes government plans to privatise Royal Mail.