Royal Mail managers are set to take industrial action this month in a dispute over jobs and pay.
Unite Union confirmed action dates for this month as 2,400 managers will work to rule on July 15 to 19. This will be followed by strike action on July 20 to 22.
It follows a dispute over plans to cut 700 jobs and slash pay by up to £7,000, the union said. Unite is calling on Royal Mail to recognise that it has to restore jobs because the proposed cuts are "so savage they will destroy the service" adding that members have no option but to strike after months of consultation.
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Industrial action by managers, who voted by 86 per cent to strike, will impact the postal and parcel service immediately. According to Unite, during the work to rule and strike action:
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Deliveries will not be covered
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Managers will take their breaks and start and finish on time
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Managers will be taking their rest days leaving units with no manager on site
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Weekends volunteer operation won't be covered
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Units will have no person in control responsible for safety of the staff and buildings
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Good will to work extra unpaid hours will cease
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Some key services, like next day delivery and tracked items, will be delayed
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Postal staff may refuse to cross picket lines or work in unmanaged buildings
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This business is awash with cash but it is putting profits and dividends for the few at the top ahead of its duties as a public service. There is not a single aspect of these cuts which is about improving customer service.
"They are being driven entirely by a culture of greed and profiteering which has seized a 500 year-old essential service, driving it close to ruin. Our members are determined to force the business to take a different path, and they have the full backing of Unite.”
StaffordshireLive reports that a Royal Mail spokesperson said they were "disappointed" about the planned industrial action. They said: "There are no grounds for industrial action. The extended consultation on our recent restructure concluded earlier this year, and the restructuring is complete.
"We committed to protecting pay for all managers who stay with Royal Mail, and the vast majority have seen an increase in their earnings. We allowed managers to request voluntary redundancy with a package of up to two years' salary, which was over-subscribed. We also made several concessions during the process, which Unite declined.
"We have contingency plans in place to minimise disruption for customers in the event of industrial action and we will work to keep people, businesses and the country connected."
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