DMA pressures parties to avert postal strike

The DMA (UK) is urging Royal Mail and postal workers to reach an agreement over pay conditions and avert a national strike that could plunge the direct marketing industry into crisis.

The threat of industrial action moved a step closer this week as the Communications Workers Union (CWU) notified Royal Mail of its intention to ballot its 160,000 members.

Any strike is likely to take place in the autumn.

A DMA spokesman says: “We can ill afford action in this economic climate. Consumers wouldn’t be able to respond, wouldn’t have their orders fulfilled, and it would damage their confidence in the medium.

“Advertisers may make switches on their media schedules, and the Royal Mail recovery plan could be thrown into jeopardy. We’re asking both parties to use common sense.”

The CWU was considering a call from Royal Mail to take the dispute to conciliation service Acas as Precision Marketing went to press.

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