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London Postal Strike as Royal Mail Refuses to Talk on Modernisation

2nd July 2009

Postal workers in London will be taking further strike action next week as Royal Mail walks away from the 2007 Pay and Modernisation agreement and continues with cuts without reform.

Strike action is spread over three days with a rolling 24 hour set of strikes on Wednesday 8^th, Thursday 9^th and Friday 10^th July. Delivery workers will be striking on Wednesday, distribution and logistics staff will be out on Thursday, and mail centres will be striking on Friday. This will impact on London's mail network for the duration of the three days.

Martin Walsh, CWU London divisional representative, said: "Postal workers cannot continue with the levels of cuts on hours, jobs and wages by aggressive management which we are currently experiencing. Staff are nearing breaking point and services will be hit if modernisation isn't brought forward.

"We have offered Royal Mail a three month no strike deal to suspend all industrial and executive action and sort out a way forward on modernisation. They have not taken up this attractive offer but the offer remains and would avoid next week's planned strikes.

"We do not have our heads in the sand when it comes to the challenges that Royal Mail face. We want automation, better industrial relations and faster progress on modernisation. But this cannot be driven by bullies who want to heap work on postal workers without supporting them through modernising the business or who are intent on driving down pay and conditions."