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Royal Mail workers balloted on strike action

The Communication Workers Union has served formal legal notice to Royal Mail of its intention to ballot members for strike action.

The result will be announced on Wednesday October 16, and if members decide to strike, action could take place on October 23. Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary said the strike was in response to the government's "destabilising" privatisation schedule.

We don’t want a race to the bottom in the postal industry where companies compete on poverty pay, few employment rights and poor services simply to maximise payouts to wealthy shareholders. Without an agreement strikes are inevitable.

Royal Mail and Parcelforce workers deserve a fair pay rise and one that is not attached to unacceptable strings that include changes to pensions and a no-strike deal.

The company made £403 million profit last year so it’s not about affordability - especially when the government says the company would pay out £133 million to shareholders next year if privatised.

Read: Government outlines Royal Mail privatisation plans