Letter of Condolence to Postkom Norway

Letters of condolence were today sent to Postkom and ET & IT Unions to express the sadness and support of the CWU Youth Advisory Committee over the Norwegian attacks:

To: Mr O C Øverland

President of Postkom

Dear Odd Christian

We are writing to offer the members of your union, and particularly those young members of your union, the condolences of the CWU (UK) Youth Committee, representing 22,000 of our members.

We are aware that our General Secretary, Billy Hayes, has already expressed the condolences of CWU but our young members have been particularly affected by the horrific events that have befallen both your people and your country on 22 July.

Our young members too have an annual event within the union at which they gather to exchange ideas, develop new policies, renew old acquaintances and make new friends in exactly the same way as their counterparts in Utoya were doing. What outside observers to our events have always said is that they contain so much life and enthusiasm and hope for the future. This is of course what has been said of the gathering on Utoya.

In sending heartfelt condolences and the strongest possible solidarity to our Norwegian brothers and sisters we also know that this hope and optimism will overcome the poisonous pessimistic xenophobia that has caused this tragedy.

Yours in Solidarity,

Simon Sapper

Assistant Secretary

John Baldwin

Head of International Affairs