Strikes have been called by Post Office workers after a ‘failure from leadership’ to offer a ‘fair’ pay package - and the collections and cash deliveries will be hit the hardest. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has urged senior management to “stop the spin and get serious on pay”.
The CWU – which represents Post Office workers – has announced that supply chain and admin workers will walk out on Thursday, July 14. The workers occupy vital roles at the Post Office. Some deliver cash, valuables and essential supplies to Britain’s 11,500 sub-post offices, while others process finances and work in vital administration.
The dispute is in opposition to Post Office management’s current pay offer of a three per cent pay deal for the 2022-23 financial year, alongside a one-off lump sum payment of £500, and no pay increase for the 2021-22 financial year.
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The proposals are far beneath the current RPI inflation rate of 11.7 per cent. Hopes were raised by Post Office management’s widely-reported statement on Monday that it was “hopeful” that a pay agreement can be reached “soon”.
CWU Assistant Secretary Andy Furey labelled this claim as “spin”, and served notice for strike action. The CWU also announced on June 27 that Crown Post Office workers will be striking on Monday, July 11, several days before this strike.
“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,” Mr Furey said. “Everyone knows that the only solution is a fair pay rise that properly rewards members for their extraordinary efforts in serving the public and delivering a profitable Post Office, while also taking account of the extreme cost of living.
“There most certainly is money available, but management do not want to give workers their fair share. 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.”
A Post Office spokesman said: "We have received notice that the CWU has called a strike involving supply chain colleagues on July 14. We will have a range of contingency measures in place to minimise any possible disruption to the Post Office network on that day."
CWU members delivered a 97.3 per cent vote in favour of action, it has been reported.
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