Post Office workers have been on strike once this week - and they are not done yet.
Monday (July 11) saw the larger branches of high street Post Offices hit by industrial action as members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) staged a walkout.
But the row has not yet subsided, with further disruption expected later in the week amid a wrangle over pay terms.
Union chiefs are warning of delays to collections and deliveries as a result of the strikes, leaving those expecting a pre-weekend parcel biting their nails as to whether their goods will arrive in time.
What days are Post Office staff striking?
Following on from Monday’s action, supply chain and administrative workers will strike on Thursday, July 14.
The CWU said the decision will affect sub-post offices, with the workers joining the picket line occupying “vital roles”.
It has predicted that the action will “hit” collections and deliveries this month.
Among the members striking are workers who deliver cash, valuables and essential supplies to Britain’s 11,500 sub-post offices, according to the CWU.
Others demonstrating include those who process finances and work in administration.
How long will the Post Office strikes last?
The situation remains unresolved, with unions threatening further action if the Post Office does not negotiate further over a pay rise for workers.
CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey said: “The blame for this disruption lies entirely with the senior Post Office leadership, who have repeatedly failed – and wilfully refused – to set out a sensible and fair pay agreement.
“Our message to the employer today is: don’t waste our members’ time by misleading statements.
“Stop the spin and get serious about pay. Until you do this, the strikes will continue.”
At least 97% of CWU members who voted in the ballot were in favour of a walkout.
Why are Post Office staff striking?
As with so much of the so-called “summer of discontent”, the argument is about pay amid a cost-of-living crisis.
Post Office staff are not alone either.
Professions as varied as barristers and railway workers have been picketing during the warmer months over the pay offers their sectors have received.
The CWU said it opposed Post Office management’s offer of a 3% rise for the 2022-23 financial year.
The proposed deal came with the offer of a one-off lump sum payment of £500, with staff having had no pay increase for the 2021-22 financial year.
With inflation currently at record levels of more than 9%, union negotiators said the offer on the table amounts to a real-terms pay cut.
What the Post Office says
Not all that much, other than to say Thursday’s strike should not prevent its Post Office branches from opening as usual.
A spokesman said: “Strike action taking place on Thursday July 14 is within our supply chain network and will not impact any of our 11,500 branches from opening as they would normally.”
