Royal Mail staff across the country will walk out on a number of dates in the next month as the row over pay and conditions continues.
It is the latest in a series of walk-outs which were confirmed by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) last month. Previous strikes have taken place in August, September and October.
A strike today (Thursday, November 24) is the first of ten dates set for industrial action throughout November and December, with Black Friday and Christmas deliveries likely to be disrupted.
READ MORE: Are you happy with your local parcel delivery services?
Members of the CWU voted for industrial action after pay talks with Royal Mail collapsed.
The CWU’s general secretary, Dave Ward, said: “We are disappointed that instead of reaching a compromise to avoid major disruption, Royal Mail have chosen to pursue such an aggressive strategy. We will not accept that 115,000 Royal Mail workers, the people who kept us connected during the pandemic, and made millions in profit for bosses and shareholders, take such a devastating blow to their livelihoods.
“These proposals spell the end of Royal Mail as we know it, and its degradation from a national institution into an unreliable, Uber-style gig economy company. We urge every member of the public to stand with their postie, and back them like never before.”
In October the company, which reported a £219m loss in the six months to September, said it could have to cut up to 10,000 jobs by next August.
Simon Thompson, Royal Mail’s chief executive, said: “Talks have lasted for seven months and we have made numerous improvements and two pay offers, which would now see up to a 9% pay increase over 18 months alongside a host of other enhancements. This is our best and final offer.
“Negotiations involve give and take, but it appears that the CWU’s approach is to just take. The strikes have already added £100m to Royal Mail’s losses so far this year."
Workers are set to strike on:
- November 24
- November 25
- November 30
- December 1
- December 9
- December 11
- December 14
- December 15
- December 23
- December 24
On strike days, Royal Mail said it will:
- deliver as many Special Delivery and Tracked24 parcels as possible
- prioritise the delivery of covid test kits and medical prescriptions wherever possible
- not be delivering letters (with the exception of Special Delivery)
It is also advising customers to:
- post items as early as possible in advance of the strike dates
- continue to post items at Postboxes or Post Offices, however collections will be less frequent on days when strike action is taking place
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