Royal Mail and Post Office staff are set to become the latest workers to take industrial action during what many now refer to as the "Summer of Discontent" which has seen strikes across multiple sectors. Both rail workers and barristers have ended up taking strike action recently over pay and working conditions, with airline staff and other sectors also highly likely to see upcoming disruption.
Unite, the union which represents many Royal Mail workers, has announced strikes over what they describe as plans to axe 700 jobs and cut pay by up to £7,000. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham described Royal Mail as being "awash with cash" but "putting profits and dividends for the few at the top ahead of its duties as a public service."
Additionally, Unite national officer with responsibility for Royal Mail, Mike Eatwell, said: "We have taken another detailed look at Royal Mail's proposals, and it is worse than we first thought. The business is seeking to cut 700 posts on top of the 1,200 cut last year. It is already running on fumes, depending on Unite members' dedication and professionalism to hold the service together.
