Thousands of Royal Mail workers could strike in London

Thousands of postal workers in London could strike over job fears, despite Royal Mail insisting compulsory redundancies will not be pursued. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said today (23 May) that postal workers in London voted by four to one in favour of strike action in light of mail centre closures in the capital.

The CWU fears that the closures would lead to compulsory redundancies. The Union then warned that “up to 3,500 Royal Mail staff will take strike action unless reassurances are given over job security and concerns of bullying are addressed”.

However, Royal Mail said there was “no justification” for the strike threat and that “essential” changes were being made “without the need for compulsory redundancy”.

The ballot – which closed earlier today – saw 79% of voters agree to strike action.

Martin Walsh, CWU divisional rep, said: “London postal workers have sent a clear message to Royal Mail in this ballot that they will not be bullied or intimidated by the company.

“Royal Mail’s closure plans are a clear threat of compulsory redundancy and this is completely unacceptable. In their race to push services to the bottom Royal Mail will eventually provoke a reaction wider than London,” he warned.

In response to the CWU’s announcement, Royal Mail said the ballot for strike action was only supported by only 37% of all operational employees at the affected sites, and stated “there was not a strong mandate for disruptive strike action”.

With mail volumes in London expected to “more than halve between 2006 and 2014”, Royal Mail said it is investing £69m to modernise the operations that remain in Greater London.

The company claims the “decision to close East and South London mail centres was made after a nine month consultation with the trade unions as set out in the 2010 Business Transformation agreement”. Royal Mail added that following the union’s input, East London mail centre is “expected to close six months later than originally planned”.

As a result of modernisation plans in the capital, 580 people are likely to leave Royal Mail. However, the company said that 673 employees “have expressed an interest in taking voluntary redundancy”.

Gerry O’Rourke, Royal Mail’s regional operations director, London, said: “I know that it is always a difficult time when changes of this kind are announced.

“The reality is that almost 700 full time Royal Mail people in London have already expressed an interest in taking a voluntary redundancy package that is worth up to two years’ salary. More than 300 are already being progressed.

“We’ve got to change. In 2014 the number of items posted in London will have fallen by more than half since 2006. But we will achieve these changes through voluntary means.

“There is no justification for strike action. The union has not received a strong mandate from employees. Nearly two thirds of the employees it represents failed to support the call for strike action. The CWU should instead focus on supporting people during this period of change.”

What are your thoughts on the ballot results? Is strike action justified? Please comment below…