§ 28. Mr. J. H. Osbornasked the Minister of Posts and Telecommunications if he will give a general direction to the Post Office to publish the terms of the Industrial Relations Act to employees of the Post Office, the operation of agency agreements and the opportunities for employees to join a union other than the Union of Post Office Workers.
§ Mr. ChatawayNo, Sir. A direction would not be appropriate. This is essentially a management matter for the Post Office.
§ Mr. OsbornIs my right hon. Friend aware that a number of telephonists in the Sheffield area and elsewhere wish to leave the Union of Post Office Workers? What arrangements are being made in this context between the Post Office and the union and what advice can personnel managers give to telephonists?
§ Mr. ChatawayAs my hon. Friend will realise, this is a management matter directly for the Post Office. These are, therefore, issues which should be addressed to the Post Office Board.
§ Mr. Charles R. MorrisWill the Minister discourage the Post Office Corporation from encouraging members of the Post Office staff joining secessionist trade unions or associations which are now emerging under the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act? Is he aware that if this trend continues the Act will become known as the blacklegs' charter?
§ Mr. ChatawayI would certainly not accept any of that. [Interruption.] Nor would I wish to encourage the Post Office to act in the way the hon. Gentleman suggests.