Royal Mail Negotiations Update

COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION

16/05/2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

UPDATE FOR ROYAL MAIL GROUP MEMBERS: STATEMENT

Over the last three weeks, Royal Mail and the CWU have been in intensive and complex negotiations covering commitments contained within the agreement with EP Group.

These cover:

  1. A long term pay deal.
  2. The pathway to equalisation of new entrants pay, terms and conditions including a first step within three months of the takeover.
  3. Reducing reliance on agency which will create more jobs and opportunities for part timers to increase their hours.
  4. Reviewing overtime and scheduled rates.
  5. Introducing a performance incentive scheme which is payable based on local targets.
  6. Improvements in sick pay.
  7. Introducing new ways of working which includes a new more supportive approach to my performance.

We have made progress on a number of these issues over the last three weeks.

These negotiations are challenging when set against the financial position of the company, but we are determined to reach an agreement that re-sets Royal Mail and gives it a platform to grow, as well as ending the chaos culture in units across the UK.

Over the last three weeks the CWU negotiators have rejected three separate pay offers all of which were above inflation.

We have also a plan in place for new entrants to reduce the working week and introduce paid meal reliefs. Further discussions are taking place on other parts of the equalisation pathway.

Alongside reaching agreement on all of the above we are in negotiations on the future of the Universal Service Obligation – something crucial to both the future of the company and long-term job security.

Royal Mail have expressed their desire to reach an agreement, and we will continue with negotiations next week and our aim is to reach an overall agreement by the time the transaction completes on 30th May 2025.

We fully recognise the urgency of delivering an agreement – in terms of bringing stability to workplaces but we also know our members need and deserve a pay rise.

We must balance this against reaching the right agreement for you.

We will provide further updates and host engagement sessions with members in the coming weeks.

Martin Walsh
Deputy General Secretary Postal

ENDS

For further enquiries, please contact CWU Press Officer Marcus Barnett at mbarnett@cwu.org.