Royal Mail workers have strike action planned across the UK for Wednesday August 31. Further industrial action is expected to take place on Thursday September 8 and Friday September 9.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has called for its Royal Mail members to strike for increased pay that “addresses the current cost of living”. Royal Mail workers who collect, sort, and deliver parcels, are expected to walk out causing “significant disruption”.
The CWU states: “The pay dispute is not complicated. Our members are striking for a pay rise that fully addresses the current cost of living. Our members need it, our members deserve it – the company can afford it.”
Read More: Royal Mail strike: What to expect as widespread disruption to services predicted
Royal Mail said in a statement: “Royal Mail has well-developed contingency plans, but they cannot fully replace the daily efforts of its frontline workforce. We will be doing what we can to keep services running, but customers should expect significant disruption.”
Will the Royal Mail strike affect deliveries and letters?
Yes, the planned industrial action taking place on August 31, September 8, and September 9 is expected to cause disruption to parcel and letter delivery. A “contingency plan” will be in place, however a very limited service is expected to run.
On strike days the Royal Mail states that it will attempt to deliver:
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As many Special Delivery and Tracked24 parcels as possible
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COVID test kits and medical prescriptions as priority if possible
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Special Delivery letters
They will not be delivering letters or parcels with standard first or second class postage. Delivery of all Special Delivery items “by 9am or 1pm next day” is not guaranteed for items posted on strike day or the day before. The Royal Mail states: “Customers will not be able to claim compensation for items which are delayed during this period”.
Tracked 24 items will be treated as “priority for delivery” on strike days. However, delays are expected on Tracked 24 items posted during the strike period.
The public are advised to post their parcels and letters as far in advance as possible. They should continue to post their items at Postboxes or Post Offices, although collections will be less frequent on strike days, the Royal Mail states.
The Royal Mail added: "We want to get services back to normal as quickly as possible after any strike action. After industrial action takes place, we'll be increasing our network capacity and using additional resources to assist with getting services back to normal. Collections from business customers, Post Offices and post boxes will resume the day after strike action finishes.
“Deliveries will also resume the day after strike action finishes. This will include accelerating the delivery of NHS and healthcare letters and critical Government mailings in the days following strike action."
Visit the Royal Mail website for more information.
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