“Appalling” UK strike set for Thursday
As predicted by Post&Parcel earlier this week, a national postal strike will take place from Thursday 22 October. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said it had no option but to strike after Royal Mail rejected its list of demands, with the postal operator’s managing director Mark Higson describing the decision as “an appalling and unjustified attack on customers and showed a reckless disregard for everyone who depends on the company”.
On announcing the decision, which will see nationwide mail centre staff and network drivers (around 42,000 postal workers) strike on 22 October and nationwide delivery and collection staff (around 78,000 postal workers) strike on 23 October, Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary said: “We made a genuine offer to Royal Mail that would have given space for detailed discussions without a strike. We were severely disappointed that within two or three hours the company rejected it, apparently without even affording it proper consideration. This comes on the back of several rejections of CWU offers and is a clear indication that they are not trying to reach agreement.”
Ward added: “Our offer included the opportunity for a three year deal that would bring stability to customers, business and the workforce. This industry is crying out for stability and yet Royal Mail rejects out of hand a genuine attempt to deliver it. We reiterate that offer today and ask that Royal Mail look again. Making progress on some key elements of that offer would mean an immediate strike could be avoided.”
Higson retorted: “Customers large and small have been hoping the CWU would lift the strike threats and focus on providing the service they need and want – instead the union has given them a slap in the face.
“The CWU’s strike announcement simply shows just how dishonest the union’s claim to embrace the need to modernise is – and underlines the union’s opposition to simple changes such as its members working flexibly for all of the hours they are paid and using the equipment provided to do the job. Instead the CWU is demanding an absolute veto over future change and modernisation – and demanding more money – backed up with strike action which they know will drive customers away.
“Yet again the CWU is reneging on its commitments. Over the last few months the CWU has repeatedly promised a moratorium on strikes in return for a pause in change at Royal Mail. More than two weeks ago we confirmed that we would be making no further changes this year. Since then the union has not only failed to deliver on a moratorium, but has called strikes in more than 150 delivery offices and has now announced a national strike which will further damage our customers and the entire postal service.
“Royal Mail has repeatedly told the union we’re prepared to talk for as long as it takes to resolve this dispute and we are hugely disappointed for our customers that the CWU has put strike notices on the table along with a list of fresh demands.
“The union seem to be in denial about the reality of the tough economic conditions facing everyone in the UK and the impact of competition, especially from email and the internet, which has helped drive mail volumes down by around 10% this year. Every 1% of lost business is costing Royal Mail some £70m of lost revenue a year so Royal Mail has to reduce its costs and focus more strongly than ever on delivering consistent, high quality service. I again urge the union to step back from the drastic action it is threatening next week and put the interests of customers first.”
Higson stressed that Royal Mail remained committed to fully honouring the 2007 Pay and Modernisation Agreement – which the CWU signed up to in the presence of the TUC and which involved a 6.9% pay award in return for the union’s support for modernisation and flexible working practices – and he urged the CWU again not to renege on the deal.
