NEW: Posties to launch more strike dates against Uber-style destruction of RMG

COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

31/10/2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New strikes set to be announced against Uber-style destruction of Royal Mail and “declaration of war on posties”

Postal workers are warning the public that “Royal Mail have just declared war on your postie”, as they will vote to take further strike action against “the dismantling of a 500-year-old service”.

Royal Mail Group have just provided a new offer to the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in talks, which will be released to employees at 2.30pm.

It includes more unacceptable changes and a derisory 7% two-year pay offer that is well below projected inflation for both years.

This reaffirms the company’s whole approach of imposing change rather than negotiating it.

Not only is the offer not applicable to Parcelforce and fleet employees, but the company have confirmed that as of tomorrow, new entrants will be brought in on lower terms, and will be introducing owner-drivers into Royal Mail – a service that will be comparable to Uber.

There are also proposals to close mail centres, with wholesale site closures being mooted part of an overall programme, and changes to Sunday working.

Despite Simon Thompson confirming yesterday (Sunday 30^th October) in writing that he was committed to ten days of negotiations, this offer was tabled without his attendance.

The union is flagging this information as Royal Mail are breaking every imaginable protocol of negotiations.

We intend to give you a fuller response in due course.

In the meantime, the postal executive will meet tomorrow to consider further strike action.

A Communication Workers Union spokesperson said: “These proposals are about dismantling a 500-year-old service and destroying the lives of those who serve it.

“Make no mistake –Royal Mail bosses have just declared war on your postie.”

ENDS

For further information or press requests, please contact CWU Press Officer Marcus Barnett at mbarnett@cwu.org.