A radical shake up of the island’s Post Office could lead to job losses and a poorer service for customers, a union chief has warned.

The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) has condemned plans by the new Post Office board, saying it will ’attack’ workers’ terms and conditions and reduce the six-day service.

Terry Pullinger, deputy general secretary postal (DGSP) of the CWU, said: ’At an urgently convened meeting of our members, they expressed their condemnation and complete lack of confidence in the board’s planned and un-agreed approach.

’They believe that the potential changes are not in the best interests of the people they serve in the Isle of Man, will fail to protect this great public service and feel that their future job security is not safe in the board’s hands.’

The five-year plan is a response to challenges faced by the industry, the Post Office has said. It looks at changing pension schemes, as well as other areas, to create a ’sustainable’ long-term strategy and to help the public service remain self-funded.

It hopes to minimise any potential job losses by growing its share of the parcels market and other commercial services.

A Post Office spokesman said: ’IOMPO is committed to looking at ways in which it can best secure prosperity and has developed a new five-year strategy to address a number of widespread industry challenges the business is facing.

’IOMPO has seen significant decline in its traditional areas; in the last 10 years the number of letters has reduced by 47%, evidencing people don’t post as much with the emergence of emails, text messages, mobile phone apps, video messaging etc.’

The spokesman added that over the counter transactions have declined by 7% per year on average over the last three years.

They continued: ’The cost of IOMPO’s pension scheme is also increasing and is not sustainable in its current form and therefore needs to be addressed.

’With regards to changes to the six-day letter service, we will be seeking public opinion on this as part of the consultation process and seeking Tynwald approval for any changes we wish to make.’

We reported in February that the pension scheme for postal workers was facing a £700,000 per year shortfall.

The Post Office hopes to develop new ways of working through the use of technology, focussing on letters and parcels, sub-post office network, integrated mailing solutions (IMS), and stamps and coins.

A public consultation aimed at making its services more sustainable and affordable is due to be launched in the summer.

Earlier this month, the IOMPO announced Crosby Terrace post office, in Douglas, would close in August.

The CWU told the Manx Independent it is concerned about the possibility of further closures.

It also claimed the business is looking to reduce the six-day postal service to five days, which the CWU believes would result in job losses and impact the island community.

Mr Pullinger said: ’We fully understand the challenges of the future and are more than prepared to negotiate and agree mutual-interest solutions.’

He added: ’Their lack of innovation and tired thinking to slash and burn their way to the future will ultimately wreck a wonderful and still relevant public service and threaten the employment, standard-of-living and retirement security of a loyal and dedicated workforce.’

He urged residents and businesses to take part in the consultation.