The Telegraph: UK postal strike 'could last for months'
After two days of strikes, up to 100 million letters and parcels are estimated to be stacked up in sorting officers around the country as the worst stoppage for two decades paralyzed Britain’s postal system.
The five-day dispute will cost Royal Mail more than GBP 100 million by the time it ends on Wednesday. Despite more talks about pay, pensions and job cuts at the Trades Union Congress, both sides were far from agreement last night.
The executive said the dispute was a “tipping point” in a battle for the future of the Royal Mail. The source continued: “This is the time. It cannot go on. This is the battle that was always going to come.
The Royal Mail claimed that 50 per cent more people were at work compared with previous strikes in the summer, although this was disputed by the Communications Workers Union (CWU), which said the action was “solid”.
Managers have drawn up plans for dealing with postal votes if the Prime Minister calls an election next week. The source added: “In terms of the postal votes and everything it will be fine. We know how to do it. We have 36,000 trucks. You utilize your resources in a different way.”
Up to 130,000 postal workers walked out at noon on Thursday for 48 hours and will stage another two-day walkout from 3am on Monday, which will hit deliveries until the end of next week.
The Government said the local education authorities would show “flexibility” for parents who have to apply for secondary school places by the end of this month.
Postwatch, the industry watchdog, warned that retailers relying on Christmas gift catalogues would be hit because they needed to process orders.
The CWU last night claimed “overwhelming support” from the public, and turned its fire on the Government for failing to back the strikers.
A spokesman said: “If this was Northern Rock they would be pouring money in. This is a company that they own and they seem to have no interest whatsoever.”
Separately, the Royal Mail agreed a deal with 12,000 of its managers on pay, modernisation and pension reform, including a 2.5 per cent wage rise backdated to April.
The postal strike in numbers
400 million – Backlog of letters which will build up if strike lasts for five days.
GBP 10 million – Estimated cost of strike to small businesses in lost business and delayed postal payments.
135,000 – Postal workers on strike, out of a total of 180,000.
33,000 – Post Office bicycles standing idle while their riders are on strike.
GBP 790,000 – Oay packet of Royal Mail Group chief executive Adam Crozier in 2005.
8 – Miles travelled every day by postal workers, carrying around heavy mailbags.
5.6p – Loss to Royal Mail every time a stamped letter is sent. The firm loses some £4 million a week.
GBP 4 billion – Royal Mail Group pension scheme accounting deficit.
113,000 – Post boxes in the UK.
40,000 – Jobs the Communication Workers’ Union claims will be lost under the terms of the current pay offer.
27 million – Postal addresses in the UK.
11kg – The weight limit on a postal worker’s pack.
