Royal Mail workers have announced further strike dates in the run up to Christmas involving up to 115,000 postal workers.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) work to reach a resolution with Royal Mail to avoid strike dates, which are currently set to take place around Black Friday and in the days running up to Christmas. The long-running dispute revolves around pay, jobs and conditions at the privately-owned firm.
CWU said "the livelihoods of postal workers" were at stake, while Royal Mail said changes to the business were "not optional". In a national strike ballot over pay, Royal Mail members voted by a 97.6 per cent majority to take action.
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CWU have announced the following strike dates:
November
Thursday 24th November
Friday 25th November
Wednesday 30th November
December
Thursday 1st December
Friday 9 th December
Sunday 11 th December
Wednesday 14 th December
Thursday 15 th December
Friday 23 rd December
Saturday 24 th December
Christmas Eve is often the busiest day of the year for Royal Mail, so strike action on that would have a massive impact on Christmas cards and gifts being delivered on time. The CWU said it still wanted a negotiated settlement with Royal Mail Group and would "continue to engage the company to that end".
"But those in charge of Royal Mail need to wake up and realise we won't allow them to destroy the livelihoods of postal workers," it said. "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."
The Royal Mail dispute has been ongoing for months after workers had an unagreed 2 per cent pay deal imposed on them. Workers are concerned about this in line with the rising cost-of-living.
Last month Royal Mail proposed a "pay-for-change" offer which would include changes to workers' shift patterns including start times and Sunday working in exchange for a 9% pay rise spread over two years. The CWU rejected the offer describing the company's plans as the "Uberisation" of the postal service.
Royal Mail said: "Our preference is for an agreement with the CWU but the change we need is not optional. They should be focused on a resolution to this dispute for their members and the long-term health of the business, rather than damaging strike action," it said.
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