Workers say ‘YES’ to national UK strike

A national postal strike will go ahead in the UK after the results of a Communication Workers Union (CWU) ballot were released. Royal Mail workers voted more than three to one in favour of a national strike as they seek action over job cuts and working conditions. 61,623 postal workers out of a total of 80,830 agreed to strike.

This latest blow for Royal Mail will intensify the battle between the company and the CWU. The UK’s postal service has been disrupted almost continually for several months with local strikes hitting many major cities, creating a letter backlog of millions.

Royal Mail insists that modernisation is needed to protect the business as letter mail volumes continue to plummet due to the recession and e-substitution.

The CWU must give at least seven days notice before any strike begins.

Royal Mail condemned the CWU’s plan for a national strike as deplorable and irresponsible and said that the union’s action would drive customers away from the business and undermine confidence in the entire postal services industry. The company said nearly 60% of postmen and women did not vote for strike action and Royal Mail urged the union to honour its repeated commitment to a no-strike period and accept that there is no going back on change.

Royal Mail claimed it had already completed the major efficiency changes planned for 2009, both nationally and in London, under the 2007 Pay and Modernisation Agreement, leaving no reason for the CWU to continue its unjustified strikes.

Is this the right decision? What effect will the strike have upon the long-term future of Royal Mail? Please submit your comments below.