Member Article

Union sets Royal Mail strike date

Royal Mail workers are to hold a 24-hour strike on 29 June (next Friday), the main postal union has confirmed. The Communications Workers Union (CWU) blamed the walkout on Royal Mail bosses not taking negotiations seriously, and said further strikes could follow. The Royal Mail has yet to comment on the strike announcement.

CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said: “We’ve tried our hardest to reach a negotiated settlement with the company, but the truth is again that Royal Mail are refusing to negotiate whatsoever on reaching a settlement before strike action takes place.”

Mr Ward added that the strike would include Post Office workers as well as Royal Mail delivery staff. In addition to the pay issue, the CWU is also unhappy at the Royal Mail’s restructuring plans, which it claims will cause up to 40,000 job losses. CWU members at the Royal Mail voted for the strike action with a majority of 77% on a turnout of 60%.

The North East Chamber of Commerce urged the CWU to consider the impact on the region’s economy of its planned postal strike.

Ross Smith, NECC’s head of policy, said: “We urge the CWU to find more constructive ways to settle their differences with management before damaging both Royal Mail and the day-to-day operations of many North East businesses with strike action. A series of strikes could destabilise business confidence in the Royal Mail at a time when it is in an increasingly competitive environment. Were this to happen, it would be the staff at Royal Mail that would suffer in the long run which runs counter to the CWU’s aims.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .