I have worked for the Post Office as a counter clerk for over 28 years. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and always wanted to serve the public, but the feeling among colleagues in the Post Office at the moment is one of disappointment and demoralisation.

We desperately want the public to get behind and support our endeavours as we try to prevent the downgrading of this treasured institution – which is why Monday saw the first of five strike days this week.

None of us want to be in this position and can ill-afford to be losing money in the build up to Christmas, but we have been through extremely difficult periods of change over the past few yearsand are desperate to shine a light on the continuing devaluation of the Post Office brand led by senior management.

The issue over pensions is of particular concern to us

I have been involved in campaigning against the closure of many crown post offices in my local area in north London. We have recently suffered the closure of the Holloway Road crown office and four more are threatened. These losses make us fear for the customers in these communities, and they are being echoed throughout the UK with a series of closures and cuts that are described by our employer as “transformation”.

Post Office employees have seen cuts and attacks on our pensions and our terms and conditions, while the business maintains an intransigent attitude towards our union. The issue over pensions is of particular concern as my colleagues and I face ever bleaker prospects for retirement.

We are disappointed and concerned that the government has tried to influence and impose a negative public perception on myself and colleagues by claiming that we are “showing contempt for ordinary people”. We have been serving the public for many generations and only wish to serve for many more years to come. This will become more difficult, of course, if the closure of crown offices continues to gather pace. We consider ourselves the “ordinary” people who have dedicated our lives to serving others. We would argue that it is the government that is showing utter contempt for communities and working people and the rights they are entitled to in employment and retirement. The accusations levelled at us by the government are a distraction from the reality we face.

Post Office strikes to go ahead after talks break down Read more

The fact that senior managers are incentivised to reduce the number of crown post offices without any dialogue with the union and consideration for the public is both troubling and depressing. This is outrageous because this is a state-owned business that everyone has a stake in, yet the government is standing aside and letting the industry wither on the vine.

I have dedicated half of my life to the Post Office and serving the public and yet at 56 years of age I find myself facing the prospect of being forced out of work and facing an uncertain and stressful future. That is what it is like working for the Post Office today. Please support us.