Posties in Renfrewshire joined the picket line earlier today as they downed their satchels and switched off their vans’ engines for a fresh walk out over pay.
The strike, which is also in effect tomorrow, involves around 115,000 Royal Mail workers across the UK which staff have declared the “biggest strike since 2009”.
A picket line was in place outside the Royal Mail depot in Underwood Road with workers expected to remain there tomorrow as the strike action is set to continue.
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This is the latest action from posties this summer following previous strike days on August 26 and August 31.
One worker who wished not to be named told the Express : “Like all the other greedy companies across the globe, Royal Mail made a profit of £758 million but still can’t pay it’s workers a fair wage.
“We are in a cost of living crisis and yet we are out here having to fight for a real wage that matches the true price of living during this recession.
“The country is on it’s knees, the bin workers, the NHS, teachers, are all struggling and it’s about time this was recognised.
“This strike isn’t just a want, it’s a need.
“ It’s a need to fight for what we need and deserve.
“This isn’t greed on our part, it’s greed with these companies who belittle their staff with such insulting pay offers, a pay offer which in these times is technically a pay cut.
“It’s time we were heard and paid fairly.
“Solidarity to all those striking up and down the country.”
The Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents the postal workers, balloted members on strike action over a two per cent pay rise, which Royal Mail bosses tried to impose without consulting the union.
The decision to strike came after a ballot that saw members vote by 97.6 per cent for the industrial action on a 77 per cent turnout.
Royal Mail says the pay offer is 5.5 per cent, something the CWU disputes, pointing out that 1.5 per cent of that is contingent on “agreeing changes which would rip up their terms and conditions”.
The final portion would be made up of a one-off £500 bonus payment due at some point next year.
The CWU stresses the pay offer is simply a two per cent rise and nothing
else.
Craig Anderson, CWU Scotland Secretary, said the company is refusing to budge over its stance and end the impasse.
He said: “There’s been no significant, constructive discussions with the company at this stage.
“We are continuing to engage with a company with regards to the two per cent pay offer.
“But, as I see it at this stage, there’s been nothing constructive or anything that has come out of any discussions that we can go back and speak to our members about.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience the CWU’s strike action will cause.
“We remain ready to talk with the CWU to try and avert damaging industrial action and prevent significant inconvenience for customers.
“But any talks must be about both change and pay.”
The company claims to be losing £1million a day, but this comes into sharp relief when considered against the news that on September 1, just a day following the last strike, the company handed £2 million to
shareholders.
And the company reported making record profits of £758m just a few months ago in its annual accounts for the year ending March 27, 2022.
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