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March in protest at plan to axe 300 Land Registry jobs

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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
  • Source: Peterborough ET
  • Location: Peterborough
 
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Veritas of Peterborough,

20/11/2009 13:45:56
Well I don't think Land Registry staff will get much support from Peterborians if they march with the City's postal workers. After all that backlog, the biggest in the country, is our post that is languishing in their depots because they are too lazy to work. All this reminds me of the refuse collection strikes back in the 70's. As soon as the government threatened the dustmen with bringing in the army to clean the streets they suddenly rushed back to work - because they didn't want to loose out on the overtime created through their own action - No sympathy whatsoever with them - Keep well clear - people will probably turn up with eggs!
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Peterbored,

Boro 20/11/2009 19:31:35
Yawn.....public services.
3

Mithras,

Peterborough 22/11/2009 14:58:00
It offered me the only decent public service I have ever had in Peterborough when I went to collect my deeds after 25 years of misery mortgage and now they close it.The City Council and Cambs Constabulary have much to learn from the excellent customer service provided by the LR.
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Bourne Town Runner,

Bourne 22/11/2009 16:03:21
We had the ear of a sypathetic public on the way and excellent coverage by the press. I think I'm right in saying this was only about the 2nd ever march by collective unions since the 19th century!

I can understand people don't appreciate what we do and how vital land Registry is to the integrity of England and Wales. What they might be able to understand better is that we do our jobs conscientiously and effectively and actually contribute to the nation as we're a trading fund. We are certainly in a different league to the directors of the firm and the consultants they employ - both of which are, frankly and honestly, superfluous. But exceedingly well paid. Unlike the staff.

As there is still so much work to be done wouldn't it make more sense to let Peterborough staff continue to work in a smaller and more efficient building and continue to provide a vital public service rather than making a further inroad into Peteborough's demise. We may not be incredibly well paid but we spend our money locally and contribute towards the economy locally through our coucnil tax etc. Does Peterborough really need another empty building, a further 310 people on the scrap heap and all for the sake of empty promises made by a so-called left-of-centre government? A government that has bailed out the bankers to the tune of millions ...
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