Communication union CWU called on Royal Mail (RM) yesterday to join it in a campaign to uphold the universal service obligation in the face of competition from TNT.

The union wants TNT and other competitors to have the same quality criteria that apply to RM and suffer penalties when in breach.

CWU London divisional committee member Martin Walsh warned that TNT was opening offices all over Britain. 

“It’s not about attacking TNT workers but about protecting workers in RM,” said Mr Walsh as he related media reports of TNT dumping mail. 

“We want the same quality criteria applied to other companies as apply to RM.”

TNT faces an official investigation after hundreds of letters were found dumped in a north London river.

Liverpudlian regional parcels organiser Mark Walsh said that TNT used zero-hours contracts and told workers they must not work more than 16 hours a week. 

He added that the public in Liverpool had noticed problems with people missing hospital appointments because they had not received their mail.

CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward warned of the dangers of being dragged down by the likes of TNT. 

He said that a 5 per cent a year loss in mail volumes would see 25 per cent of the business shutting down within five years. 

“We can win this debate, save this industry and secure our members jobs,” said he added.