Post Office ‘Worker Status’ battle begins for subpostmasters

The Communication Workers Union’s (CWU) long-awaited employment tribunal against the Post Office (PO) to give subpostmasters ‘worker status’ began last week.

If the CWU can prove subpostmasters have the responsibilities and obligations of a worker, they could be entitled to at least the minimum wage, pension and insurance contributions, holiday pay, the right to take collective action and significant compensation.

Following an initial hearing on 1 February, the first witness examination began on 7 February and saw lead claimant and CWU subpostmaster branch rep Mark Baker cross-examined by the PO.

Christopher Jeans QC used Horizon till data evidence to challenge if Baker had the responsibilities of a PO worker by questioning whether his wife was fulfilling many of Mark Baker’s responsibilities.

Jeans compared Baker’s six logs on the Horizon IT system in 2017 with his wife’s 134,388.

EXCLUSIVE: Post Office enters negotiations with CWU over ‘worker status’ for subpostmasters

Baker responded the Horizon data failed to show that he would use his partner’s login, and said many subpostmaster tasks do not involve Horizon.

More than 120 further subpostmasters are taking part in the claim.

Ten CWU subpostmasters and 17 witnesses for the PO are to be cross examined in hearings predicted to last until mid-March.

Named by a leading legal journal as one of 2021’s 10 most important cases, it has been described as an “existential threat” to the PO’s future.

Better Retailing live blogged during the resumed hearing which can be viewed below.