Posties refuse to deliver FN leaflet

POSTAL workers in one Paris arrondissement refused to deliver campaign leaflets for the Front National on Monday, according to the Solidaires Unitaires Démocratiques (SUD) and General Confederation of Labour (CGT) unions.

The leaflet, which was among a bundle of advertising mailshots, was not in an envelope. Olivier Rosay, of SUD, said: “At least a dozen out of 40 postal workers removed the leaflet before their round.”

He claimed that La Poste was putting “political propaganda of the Front National” into the hands of the delivery people, effectively turning them into “activists” for the far-right party.

A spokesperson for La Poste said the problem only affected the 7th arrondissement, and reiterated the company’s “principle of neutrality”, saying it “fairly distributes election campaign material for all political parties”, except those which are banned.

According to the La Poste’s management it can only refuse to distribute political leaflets when it “is contrary to public order or morality”, and can impose no other conditions regarding delivery.

SUD representatives said asking workers to deliver unwrapped material called into question “the neutrality of the public service”, and Emmanuel Cottin of the CGT warned of the dangers to postal workers delivering campaign leaflets without covers, saying: “there is a danger to their physical and moral integrity”.

SUD and CGT members were urged during general meetings on Monday not to touch the leaflets while waiting for a response from La Poste’s management.