UK Post Office workers vote for industrial action over pension dispute

Members of the Unite union working for the UK’s Post Office have voted for industrial action over proposed plans to close the final salary pension scheme. In a statement sent to Post&Parcel today (6 September), Unite said that of those taking part in the ballot 64.3% supported the call for strike action, with 78% supporting industrial action short of a strike.

Around 3,500 staff are affected by the proposed pension scheme closure.

Unite said that it had calculated that under the defined contribution scheme from next April, staff will lose about 30% of their retirement income going forward.

Brian Scott, the Unite officer for members in the Post Office, said: “This strong vote in favour of industrial action should send a clear message to the Post Office that it has got it wrong over its decision to close the pension scheme.

“The Post Office’s executive team and the board need to reflect on the closure of a scheme which is currently £100 million in surplus and the anger it is causing among a workforce which is also facing a large number of job losses.”

Scott added:  “Unite will now be considering its next steps but believes that the clear mandate is a call for industrial action in the near future should the Post Office’s leadership team fail to reconsider.”