Parcel deliveries in the UK could be seriously disrupted in mid-October by a two-day postal strike by Royal Mail staff over a long-running pensions and pay dispute.
The Communication Workers Union, which represents the bulk of Royal Mail workers, said it has served notice on Royal Mail Group for a 48-hour strike beginning at 11am on Thursday 19th October. The strike will involve 111,000 postal workers and follows the “historical” 89.1% ‘yes’ vote on a 73.7% turnout announced by the union on Thursday.
But Royal Mail countered that any strike would be “unlawful” and warned it would use legal means to prevent industrial action if necessary.
The dispute centres on planned changes to Royal Mail’s pensions scheme. The postal operator says it cannot afford to continue with high contributions from next year onwards and will close down the pensions scheme next March. Instead, it has offered a choice of two different types of schemes in the future.
Royal Mail and the CWU have been in complex talks for months over the future of the company’s pensions scheme but have failed to reach agreement so far.
CWU Deputy General Secretary (Postal) Terry Pullinger said: “It is highly disappointing that after 18 months of negotiations including external mediation that we have reached this point. Royal Mail Group management have clearly moved away from the spirit and intent of our agreements and the empty promises of privatisation, and have suffered a huge vote of no confidence from their employees and CWU members as a consequence.
“People are extremely angry and will now express that by overwhelmingly supporting this strike action in order to shift Royal Mail Group from their entrenched position, protect themselves and this great public service,” he declared.
CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: “This is a watershed dispute that will determine not only our member’s pensions, jobs and pay but also the future of the service. Postal workers delivered a massive yes vote for strike action and we are determined to take whatever steps are necessary to deliver an agreement that will protect and enhance our member’s terms and conditions and improve the range of services on offer to customers.”
