New Royal Mail strikes target Christmas post
Workers to walk out as postal service seeks to cut costs with plan to end Saturday letter deliveries
ROYAL Mail workers are to strike on Christmas Eve and throughout December in industrial action that could bring misery to millions hoping to send presents and cards.
The Communication Workers Union last night said it would not allow bosses at Royal Mail “to destroy the livelihoods of postal workers”. The union said workers would strike on Dec 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24.
The action comes as millions of people celebrating Christmas will be hoping to use Royal Mail to deliver festive gifts and cards to their loved ones, as well as to order goods for parties and dinners. The CWU had already targeted the Black Friday weekend with strikes scheduled for Nov 24, 25, 30 and Dec 1, when shoppers flock to online stores to sweep up bargains before Christmas.
A union spokesman said: “The CWU want a negotiated settlement with Royal Mail Group and will continue to engage the company to that end. But those in charge of Royal Mail need to wake up and realise we won’t allow them to destroy the livelihoods of postal workers.”
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Our preference is for an agreement with the CWU but the change we need is not optional. They should be focused on a resolution to this dispute for their mem- bers and the long-term health of the business, rather than damaging strike action.”
News of the fresh strikes comes a day after Royal Mail said talks with the union aimed at averting a strike had been extended. Royal Mail, the UK arm of International Distribution Services, has been locked in a bitter dispute with the CWU over pay and job conditions, leading to several days of strikes this year.
Meanwhile, Royal Mail is accelerating plans to axe Saturday letter deliveries by asking the Government to consider changing postal laws to allow a five-day-a-week operation. The postal monopoly, which has a legal requirement under its “universal service obligation” to deliver letters six days a week, is seeking permission for “an early move to five-day delivery”.
Ending weekend deliveries would save the company up to £225m a year. It would also allow Royal Mail to focus on a seven-day-a-week parcel operation.
It comes as the service is in the middle of its worst industrial dispute since privatisation nine years ago. The CWU is resisting proposals to change working practices and automate the business to cut costs. Union chiefs have also so far rejected a new pay deal worth up to 9pc over the next two years.
Announcing the company’s half-year results yesterday, Keith Williams, its chairman, said: “The difference between the performances of our two companies could not be more stark.
“GLS [the parcels division] has adapted well to inflationary pressures across its geographies. However, we have been standing at a crossroads with CWU in the UK for several months. We are now heading in a clear direction in light of the substantial losses in Royal Mail.”
Royal Mail UK operations posted a £219m loss in the six months to September compared its overseas business, which turned a £162m operating profit.