Published Date:
20 November 2009
HUNDREDS of workers are expected to march through the centre of Peterborough in protest at plans to axe 300 jobs at the city's Land Registry.
The march and rally has been organised by Peterborough Trades Union Council (PTUC), and comes after Land Registry bosses announced the closure of its city offices in Touthill Close, City Road, in two years' time with the loss of 303 jobs.
The marchers will also highlight fears for the future of Royal Mail jobs in Peterborough after a series of strikes by postal workers, which left the Peterborough depot with one of the largest backlogs of mail in the country.
The demonstration will take place tomorrow and has been organised jointly by the Communications Workers Union (CWU), Unison, Unite, and the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).
They will also be joined by the representatives of the Peterborough Pensioners Association.
PTUC's chairman, Stuart Mathers, said: "This is about bringing together a number of unions to show people the importance of public services, such as the Land Registry and Royal Mail."
Victoria Dyke, press officer for the Peterborough branch of PCS, said they were hoping to raise the profile of the Land Registry's plight to the people of the city.
She said: "In Peterborough, we got a lot of people coming to the Land Registry with issues about land and property and who don't want to go to solicitors about their problems.
She added: "It provides a vital service for many Peterborough people.
"If the Land Registry is replaced with a call centre then all customers will get is people using question and answer sheets and not their own knowledge.
"We have sent out the details of the rally and we're hoping for a good turnout on Saturday."
Chairman of the CWU Peterborough branch, Andy Beeby added: "This rally is about sticking up for the public in Peterborough and defending jobs in the city."
The march will start on Saturday at noon in Town Bridge car park, before heading along Bridge Street and into Cathedral Square, Long Causeway and Laxton Square.
The rally will finish with a public meeting at John Clare Theatre, in Central Library, Broadway, with a number of guest speakers.
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Last Updated:
20 November 2009 8:40 AM
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Source:
Peterborough ET
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Location:
Peterborough