More than 115,000 Royal Mail postal workers are set to strike for four days over the next four weeks.
Staff who are members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) say the industrial action will be the biggest strike of the summer so far. They are calling for a no-strings "dignified, proper pay rise" in the wake of soaring inflation. The Bank of England expects inflation to hit 13% in the autumn.
Royal Mail argues that it has given an unconditional 2% pay rise, backdated to April and has offered a further 3.5% increase (totaling 5.5%), subject to staff agreeing to targets and a series of changes to their conditions. The CWU call for a 'no-strings' pay rise, but Royal Mail says changes are essential if it is to keep up with rival logistics companies.
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Royal Mail postie strike dates August and September 2022
More than 115,000 CWU members are due to strike over the next four weeks. As things stand they will strike on Friday August 26, Wednesday August 31, Thursday September 8 and Friday September 9.
Why are Royal Mail postmen and postwomen striking?
CWU members voted by 97.6% in favour of striking following negotiations with Royal Mail over a pay rise. With inflation at 11.7%, the union says Royal Mail decided to "impose" a 2% pay rise without agreement. It also opposes a change in terms, that could see postal workers work later shifts over a seven day week, which came with an additional 3.5% rise offered to CWU grade employees, which would have bring the total 'pay rise' to 5.5%.
The CWU says : "The union is demanding that Royal Mail Group make an adequate pay award that covers the current cost of living increases for our members.
"However, the management of Royal Mail Group decided to impose a 2% pay rise on its employees through executive action, those same employees who were given key worker status at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"In an economic climate where inflation has soared to 11.7%, the imposition would lead to a dramatic reduction in workers’ living standards."
The Bank of England expects inflation to rise to 13% in the autumn.
On opposing the proposed changes to working conditions in return for an extra 3.5% rise, the CWU has stated:"The changes would see our members delivering up to five hours in the height of summer heat and in the darkness of winter. This is just one example of how Royal Mail are running down the postal service in the UK and why our members are balloting for strike action to defend it. Postal workers need and deserve the support of the public to win this battle.”
What does Royal Mail say about the strike?
Royal Mail says it has offered staff a 5.5% pay rise (2% plus 3.5% subject to agreeing new terms) at a time when it is already making losses. Changes to terms, including the introduction of more mail sorting machines and a seven-day working week, are essential if it is to keep up with competitiors, it argues.
Royal Mail said the decision to strike is an “abdication of responsibility” for the long-term job security of CWU members.
“In more than three months of talks, CWU has failed to engage meaningfully on the business changes required,” it said.
“The negative commercial impact of any strike action will only make pay rises less affordable and could put jobs at risk.
“The CWU has a responsibility to recognise the reality of the situation Royal Mail faces as a business, and to engage urgently on the changes required.
“Royal Mail remains 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.
“Royal Mail has contingency plans in place and will be working hard to minimise disruption and restore normal service as soon as possible.”
Royal Mail said that, following the conclusion of negotiations with the CWU, it has given an unconditional 2% pay increase, backdated to April 1 2022. A further 3.5% increase is available, subject to agreeing on a series of changes, the company said.
It adds: “The CWU rejected this offer, worth up to 5.5%, which would add around £230 million to Royal Mail annual people costs at a time when the business is already loss-making.
Will post get sorted and delivered during the Royal Mail strike?
The impact of more than 115,000 staff members, including posties, will likely cause severe disruption to Royal Mail during the strike. A knock-on effect will also likely cause delays in the days after each strike date.
Royal Mail has warned that planned strikes will make the company “materially loss-making” in the current financial year.
However, contingency plans will be in place, says Royal Mail operations director Ricky McAulay.
He said: “We apologise to our customers for the disruption that CWU’s industrial action will cause. We are ready to talk further with CWU to try and avert damaging industrial action but, as we have consistently said, it must be about both change and pay.
“We have contingency plans in place, and will be working hard to minimise disruption and get our services back to normal as soon as we can to keep people, businesses and the country connected.”
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