High Noon
Royal Mail has warned that if the Communication Workers Union (CWU) does not withdraw its notice of strike action by 12 noon today (9 October), the company will lodge an application with the High Court for an injunction to prevent industrial action. The postal operator has maintained that the dispute resolution procedures set by the Agenda for Growth mean that both parties are legally bound to follow through with an external mediation process.
In a statement sent to Post&Parcel on Friday evening (6 October), Royal Mail said: “We believe any strike action before the dispute resolution procedures have been followed would be unlawful strike action.”
Royal Mail added: “Contrary to the CWU’s claim in its recent press release, external mediation as set out in the Agenda for Growth agreement has not yet taken place. A clear mechanism for instituting these procedures is set out in writing in the Agenda for Growth. It includes: a) Formal notice of a referral to external mediation from one party to the other; b) The appointment of an external mediator through the mutually agreed process and; c) A comprehensive mediation process which includes the mediator preparing a detailed report, including recommendations for both parties. None of these processes have happened yet.”
The CWU responding to the Royal Mail announcement by taking to Twitter and tweeting: “We won’t be withdrawing the notice. 89.1% of our members rejected your vision. Face up to that rather than running to the courts.”
