Postal workers to vote for strikes after cash handling dispute

Postal workers were today expected to vote in favour of strikes in a dispute over the sale of the Royal Mail’s cash handling business to a private firm.

About 3,000 members of the Communication Workers Union have been balloted on industrial action in protest at plans to sell the business to Securicor.

The union fears that jobs and working conditions will be hit if the move goes ahead and is expected to name dates for strikes later in the week if there is a Yes vote.

The Royal Mail will be given at least seven days notice of any action in the cash handling business, which delivers and collects cash to post offices across the country.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “We continue to discuss with Securicor and the unions how to get the best way forward for the cash handling business.

“We are exploring alternatives that will meet the needs of the unions and Securicor.”

The spokesman said it would be “insane” for the union to even contemplate strikes given the financial position of the Royal Mail, which is losing more than #1 million a day.