The SubPostmaster Magazine

Protecting postmasters:
NFSP Advocacy Team offers
help in contractual disputes
he NFSP has been working
T
for some time on a support
programme for
postmasters known as the
Advocacy Project. This consists of a
small group of advocacy
representatives who are available to
support any members who have been
suspended from their businesses or
face a contractual dispute with Post
Office Ltd (PO).
The representatives are the point of
contact to help and advise on any
serious contractual disputes between
a postmaster and PO. They will also be
available to represent those members
during PO interviews or meetings.
Since the introduction of the Post
Office Horizon computer system in
1997 and the subsequent rollout in
the following years, many of our
colleagues suffered unexplained
discrepancies and were faced with
the prospect of making good losses to
the PO, as per their contract. In some
cases, postmasters were suspended,
had their contracts terminated or
were prosecuted by PO which may
have led to a custodial sentence.
The advocacy policy, which was
adopted in January 2023, focuses on
representing postmasters if and when
a contractual breach takes place. This
policy is not only designed to cover
discrepancies but also the wide range
of reasons why a contractual breach
can take place.
The NFSP is committed to
supporting members in any
contractual dispute with PO, to play
our part in ensuring that the
circumstances that led to the Horizon
scandal do not happen again.
As postmasters past and present,
we do not want any colleague to
suffer in silence and would encourage
anyone with concerns to contact the
NFSP at the earliest opportunity and
ask to speak to a member of
the Advocacy Team.
The NFSP believes that it is vitally
important to have a trained group of
individuals with the correct tools to be
able to defend the interests of
postmasters. This team does not
prevent colleagues from seeking legal
advice if required.
To get in touch with the Advocacy
Team, contact admin@nfsp.org.uk or
call 01273 452324.
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