Royal Mail workers to stage four strikes over pay dispute

More than 115,000 postal workers will stage a series of strikes over the coming weeks in a dispute around pay.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said it will be the biggest strike of the summer so far to demand a “dignified, proper pay rise”.

The Royal Mail workers' strikes will be held on Friday August 26, Wednesday 31 and September 8 and 9.

The decision follows a recent ballot for strike action, which saw members vote by 97.6% on a 77% turnout to take action.

The union said management responded by imposing a 2% pay rise, which it believed would lead to a “dramatic reduction” in workers’ living standards because of soaring inflation.

'There will be serious disruption until you get real on pay'

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said nobody takes the decision to strike lightly, but warned postal workers are "being pushed to the brink."

“There can be no doubt that postal workers are completely united in their determination to secure the dignified, proper pay rise they deserve," he said.

“We can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks.

“When Royal Mail bosses are raking in £758 million in profit and shareholders pocketing £400 million, our members won’t accept pleads of poverty from the company.

“Postal workers won’t meekly accept their living standards being hammered by greedy business leaders who are completely out of touch with modern Britain. They are sick of corporate failure getting rewarded again and again.

“The CWU’s message to Royal Mail’s leadership is simple – there will be serious disruption until you get real on pay.”

'An abdication of responsibility'

Ricky McAulay, operations director at Royal Mail said the CWU has failed to engage in "any meaningful discussion" on changes "we need to modernise."

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know

“The CWU rejected our offer worth up to 5.5% for CWU grade colleagues, the biggest increase we have offered for many years," he said.

“In a business that is currently losing £1 million a day, we can only fund this offer by agreeing the changes that will pay for it. Royal Mail can have a bright future, but we can’t achieve that by living in the past.

“By modernising we can offer more of what our customers want at a price they are willing to pay, all whilst protecting jobs on the best terms and conditions in our industry.

“The CWU’s failure to engage on the changes we need is an abdication of responsibility for the long-term job security of their members."

He added Royal Mail apologises to customers for the disruption and that they are ready to talk further with the CWU - though he insisted it "must be about both change and pay."