Royal Mail workers votefor strike action

ROYAL MAIL workers have voted massively in favour of strikes in a dispute over pay and conditions, increasing the threat of disruption to postal deliveries.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) backed strikes by 98.7 per cent on a turnout of more than 72 per cent.

It was the second ballot of Royal Mail workers, who are already planning to strike on August 26 and 31 and September 8 and 9 in a separate row over pay.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said it was a “staggering” result which sends a clear message to bosses about opposition to plans to changes to terms and conditions under modernisation plans.

“We will do everything possible to see if we can make progress but

the Royal Mail management has to change its position,” Mr Ward said. “If they don’t, then we will take strike action.”

The four strikes in the coming weeks will be the first national walkouts of postal staff, including delivery workers and those in sorting offices, since 2013.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Instead of engaging meaningfully on change that will secure future jobs, the CWU has decided to ballot against change.

“We are losing £1m a day and we need to change what we are doing to fix the situation and protect jobs.

“This change is also needed to support the pay package we have offered to CWU grade colleagues, worth up to 5.5 per cent. This is the biggest increase we have offered for many years and the CWU have rejected it.

“This would add around £230m to Royal Mail’s annual people costs when the business is already loss-making. The CWU has put forward ideas for change that would cost over £1bn while not delivering the changes needed.”