CWU members agree to Parcelforce pay rise

Parcelforce workers belonging to the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will receive a “back-dated pay rise, a £600 lump sum and £7 rise in their weekly bonus”, the union has said. The agreement – struck between the CWU and Royal Mail’s parcel arm – was voted for by 94% of workers.

Salaries will increase by 2.6% – backdated to April – and further payments of £67 consolidated and £400 unconsolidated can also be achieved by members later in the year subject to criteria relating to the company’s “progressive agenda” programme, the CWU announced.

Commenting on the ballot result, CWU assistant secretary Terry Pullinger, who led the talks for the union, said that it was a “ringing endorsement of our negotiating strategy”.

He added: “We believe that this agreement represents a pragmatic and realistic response to the current financial and political climate which allows for immediate and potential reward via increases in pay and lump-sum payments.

“And a 94% Yes vote clearly indicates that our members agree with us that this deal is an excellent one in the current circumstances.”

The agreement also makes specific and positive commitments to both the future of Parcelforce, the maintenance of the standard of living and job security of CWU members and the potential for the creation of new jobs and reward commensurate with the growth in the industry, Pullinger concluded.