AS trade union representatives, we express our concern and support for the members of the Communication Workers Union in their struggle for decent pay and conditions for working shift work over six days a week.

This is at a time when their industry is threatened by privatisation. It is our understanding that the New Labour government is poised to drive through privatisation very soon. For it was only recently that the government's regulator announced that it wants to see the Post Office (Consignia) sold off.

This could only mean private firms grabbing all the most profitable business. The CWU, like the majority of the public is opposed to privatisation. Like us, they are against another Railtrack fiasco at the public's expense.

This drive to the madness of the market can only mean price increases (a 40p first-class stamp), a worse service (closure of Post Office counters) and private firms undermining union members' conditions, while creating huge job losses.

It is against this New Labour drive to privatise, that we declare our solidarity with the CWU in their efforts to improve their members' conditions and keep the postal service in public hands.

Lez Scott and Alan McShane (NATFHE), David Crane (USDAW), G Meek and D Waring (Amicus -- AEEU), M Bury (GMB), George Grey (ISTC), Phil Walmsley (UNISON) and A Taylor (GPMU), Blackburn Trade Union Education Unit, Preston New Road, Blackburn.