Thousands of managers at Royal Mail are preparing for strike action. It is in a dispute over job cuts and pay. Some 2,400 managers will take industrial action from July 20 to July 22. They will also work to rule from July 15 to July 22.
According to the union Unite, the action comes amid plans to cut 700 jobs and slash pay by up to £7,000. However, Royal Mail has refuted the basis for the action and described the pay cut claim as "wrong".
Unite said that during the strike and work to rule action, some key services such as next day delivery and tracked items would be delayed. Deliveries and weekend volunteer operations would not be covered and managers would stop working extra unpaid hours, according to the union.
Some postal staff could refuse to cross picket lines or work in buildings without a manager present, leading to further disruption. Royal Mail said it has "contingency plans in place to minimise disruption for customers".
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "This business is awash with cash but it is putting profits and dividends for the few at the top ahead of its duties as a public service. There is not a single aspect of these cuts which is about improving customer service.
"They are being driven entirely by a culture of greed and profiteering which has seized a 500-year-old essential service, driving it close to ruin. Our members are determined to force the business to take a different path."
Unite said Royal Mail paid out £400million to shareholders and recorded a £311m profit last year. A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that Unite has notified us of planned industrial action.
"There are no grounds for industrial action. The extended consultation on our recent restructure concluded earlier this year, and the restructuring is complete.
"We committed to protecting pay for all managers who stay with Royal Mail, and the vast majority have seen an increase in their earnings. We allowed managers to request voluntary redundancy with a package of up to two years' salary, which was over-subscribed.
"We also made several concessions during the process, which Unite declined. We have contingency plans in place to minimise disruption for customers in the event of industrial action, and we will work to keep people, businesses and the country connected."
