Postal workers across the country will go on strike this Thursday over an ongoing dispute regarding pay and conditions.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said 115,000 members will take industrial actions - making it one of the largest strikes to take place this year after industrial unrest across multiple industries, such as rail. Picket lines are expected to be erected outside Royal Mail offices.
CWU General secretary Dave Ward said: “Postal workers face the biggest ever assault on their jobs, terms and conditions in the history of Royal Mail.
“The public and businesses also face the end of daily deliveries and destruction of the special relationship that postal workers and the public have in every community in the UK."
He added: "Royal Mail Group claim to be losing £1 million a day. The CWU believe these figures need to be scrutinised.”
How will the strike affect customers?
The Royal Mail has warned customers that despite implementing "well-developed contingency plans" there will likely be disruption to packages being delivered on the strike date. The Royal Mail will also be taking different priorities on the strikes date including:
- Delivering as many Special Delivery and Tracked24 parcels as possible
- Prioritising the delivery of Covid test kits and medical prescriptions
- Not delivering letters (with the exception of Special Delivery)
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Three weeks ago, Royal Mail invited the CWU to enter talks through Acas to find a resolution to our change and pay dispute. We have not reached an agreement with the CWU on this request.
“Royal Mail is losing £1 million a day and must change faster in response to changing customer demands. The CWU leadership’s choice of damaging strike action over resolution is weakening the financial position of the company and threatening the job security of our postmen and women.
“We call on the CWU leaders to cancel their planned strike action and accept our invitation to enter talks through Acas without further delay. We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience the CWU’s continued strike action will cause.
“We are doing all we can to minimise any delays and keep people, businesses and the country connected.”
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