Workers march over spate of cuts

North Yorkshire has seen the closure of 22 post offices

Hundreds of protesters have marched through the centre of York in a demonstration against a spate of job cuts across North Yorkshire.

The protest follows the closure of 22 post offices in the county and the closure of York's Remploy factory with the loss of 50 disabled workers' jobs.

The campaigners also oppose proposals to close and privatise job centres.

York Labour MP Hugh Bayley joined trade union members on the march from Museum Gardens to the Royal York Hotel.

The protest involved officials and members of the GMB, Unite, Community, PCS and CWU trade unions.

A spokesman for the trade unions said they wanted to urge the government to rethink its policies.

These are important issues not only for the people of York but also for the whole of the UK Trade unions spokesman

He said: "The closure of Remploy York on the 6 March 2008 will mean a lack of opportunity for disabled people in the York and surrounding areas to find sustainable work.

"The closure of job centres in and around York will make it more difficult to find work.

"The privatisation of Jobcentre Plus will take away a caring and dedicated workforce which will be replaced with a private sector profit-before-people culture.

"The closure of local post offices will mean that disabled people, the old and the vulnerable will have to travel long distances to use basic facilities.

"These are important issues not only for the people of York but also for the whole of the UK."