BREAKING: Postal workers deliver biggest national strike vote in British history

COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

16/02/2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BREAKING: POSTAL WORKERS DELIVER BIGGEST NATIONAL STRIKE VOTE IN BRITISH HISTORY

115,000 postal workers have urged Royal Mail bosses to “take stock” and change course in negotiations, after the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has delivered an historic vote to continue strike action.

In a ballot announced today (Thursday 16^th February), the union – which represents Royal Mail Group workers – have voted by 95.9% on a 77.3% turnout to take further strike action.

Despite the intensity of the dispute and employees retiring or leaving the company, turnout rose from the two previous ballots (which were 77% and 72.2% respectively).

This makes this vote the biggest mandate for strike action since the implementation of the 2016 Trade Union Act.

CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: “After two national ballots, 18 days of action, constant management intimidation and scores of unjust disciplinary cases against their colleagues, postal workers have shown their dignity and determination once again.

“This vote is a historic testament to CWU members across the country who have stood firm against the most severe attacks faced by any set of workers since the miners.

“It is proof that postal workers will not accept their livelihoods being destroyed so that a few at the top can generate serious profits at their expense.

“It is proof that workers loyal to an historic institution like Royal Mail will not accept it being turned into an Uber-style, bog-standard gig economy employer.

“It is proof that for Royal Mail to begin functioning normally again, there needs to be a change in negotiating approach from its leadership that recognises the depth of feeling from the workforce that make their company.

“These people will never be bullied, intimidated or harassed into submission, and this result is a concrete demonstration of that spirit.

“I urge responsible voices in Royal Mail’s leadership to take stock of what has happened today.”

ENDS

For more information or media requests, please contact CWU Press Officer Marcus Barnett on 07812590450 or mbarnett@cwu.org.