Postal Strikes: a week of disruption

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced further industrial action in the form of two 48 hour stoppages to be followed by further, as yet unspecified, strikes. The first strike is due to start at noon tomorrow – 4th October and go through to lunchtime on Saturday. The second strike will start at 3am on Monday (8th October) and end early on 10th October.

Millie Banerjee, Chair of Postwatch, commenting on the announcement said: “It is hugely disappointing to watch a great British institution tear itself apart. Effectively these strikes mean that mail posted in the UK today is unlikely to be delivered before Thursday next week.

“Ordinary customers cannot post with any confidence of knowing when it will arrive and may therefore decide to telephone, text or e-mail instead. Those businesses who can will also find alternative ways of communicating with suppliers and customers. Customers are being forced to explore other ways of communicating and will not all return to use post once the dispute is resolved.

“We recognize the management of Royal Mail and the leadership of the Communications Workers Union has tried to find a solution. They negotiated unsuccessfully for 5 weeks before these latest strikes were announced. But that failure has to be put behind them and the two sides have to re-engage to find the right solution that will offer customers a value for money postal service.”

“Postwatch advises customers to be aware of the strikes, consider what postal disruption will mean to them, and then act to minimize inconvenience. That might mean using other communication methods.”