UK
Watch: ‘Stand together, fight together, win together’ – rousing video on postal worker strike
Communication Workers Union general secretary Dave Ward said 115,000 members were striking over pay amid ‘rocketing’ inflation and energy bills.
by Joe Mellor
2022-08-26
Credit:PA
The leader of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) declared Friday’s industrial action as “the biggest strike in the UK since 2009”, as he said more than 115,000 postal workers were out protesting over pay.
It comes as a video by Peter Stefanovic has gone viral supporting the postal workers.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward says his members voted in favour of the strike by 97.6% in a ballot, after management “imposed” a 2% pay rise on employees but “rewarded themselves with record bonuses”.
Friday’s strike will be followed by further stoppages on Wednesday August 31, Thursday September 8 and Friday September 9.
Scores of CWU members, including Mr Ward and a person in a Postman Pat costume, were rallying at a picket line in Whitechapel, east London, on Friday.
They banged drums, waved flags and clutched placards outside the Royal Mail Whitechapel Delivery Office, as passing drivers beeped their horns in apparent support.
Enough is enough
One man shouted “enough is enough, millions for the bosses, pennies for the workers”.
Members also chanted “Thompson out” – a reference to Royal Mail’s CEO, Simon Thompson – to the beat of drums.
CWU boss Mr Ward told the PA news agency: “This is the biggest strike in the UK since 2009, and we have got over 115,000 members who are out on strike today after delivering a massive ‘yes’ vote.
“And it’s over pay, and our members just lost total confidence in the actions of the company, the board, and they’ve lost faith in the leadership and people will understand that when they see the way that the company have conducted themselves.
“The company made record profits last year: £758 million. They gave away over £400 million to shareholders, they rewarded themselves with huge record bonuses for achieving their financial targets and then imposed a 2% pay increase on postal workers.
“Against the background of rocketing inflation, rocketing energy bills, it’s simply not acceptable.
Pillars of our society
“Postal workers in the UK are one of the last remaining pillars of our society.
“We are going to fight hard to get our members the pay deal that they deserve.”
He added: “In regard to the Labour Party, what we want is full support from them in this dispute, it’s a just cause.”
On Thursday, a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Tomorrow’s CWU strike thrusts Royal Mail into the most uncertain time of its 500-year history.
“It is putting jobs at risk and making pay rises less affordable. We are losing £1 million a day.
“We must change to fix the situation and protect high quality jobs.
“We want to protect well-paid, permanent jobs long-term and retain our place as the industry leader on pay, terms and conditions. That is in the best interests of Royal Mail and all its employees.
“We apologise to our customers, and the public for the inconvenience the CWU’s strike action will cause.
“We have offered to meet the CWU numerous times in recent weeks, but they declined each invitation, preferring to spend their time on the political agenda of the UK trade union movement.
“We remain ready to talk with the CWU to try and avert damaging industrial action and prevent significant inconvenience for customers.”
Communication Workers Union general secretary Dave Ward said 115,000 members were striking over pay amid ‘rocketing’ inflation and energy bills.
by Joe Mellor
2022-08-26
Credit:PA
The leader of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) declared Friday’s industrial action as “the biggest strike in the UK since 2009”, as he said more than 115,000 postal workers were out protesting over pay.
It comes as a video by Peter Stefanovic has gone viral supporting the postal workers.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward says his members voted in favour of the strike by 97.6% in a ballot, after management “imposed” a 2% pay rise on employees but “rewarded themselves with record bonuses”.
Friday’s strike will be followed by further stoppages on Wednesday August 31, Thursday September 8 and Friday September 9.
Scores of CWU members, including Mr Ward and a person in a Postman Pat costume, were rallying at a picket line in Whitechapel, east London, on Friday.
They banged drums, waved flags and clutched placards outside the Royal Mail Whitechapel Delivery Office, as passing drivers beeped their horns in apparent support.
Enough is enough
One man shouted “enough is enough, millions for the bosses, pennies for the workers”.
Members also chanted “Thompson out” – a reference to Royal Mail’s CEO, Simon Thompson – to the beat of drums.
CWU boss Mr Ward told the PA news agency: “This is the biggest strike in the UK since 2009, and we have got over 115,000 members who are out on strike today after delivering a massive ‘yes’ vote.
“And it’s over pay, and our members just lost total confidence in the actions of the company, the board, and they’ve lost faith in the leadership and people will understand that when they see the way that the company have conducted themselves.
“The company made record profits last year: £758 million. They gave away over £400 million to shareholders, they rewarded themselves with huge record bonuses for achieving their financial targets and then imposed a 2% pay increase on postal workers.
“Against the background of rocketing inflation, rocketing energy bills, it’s simply not acceptable.
Pillars of our society
“Postal workers in the UK are one of the last remaining pillars of our society.
“We are going to fight hard to get our members the pay deal that they deserve.”
He added: “In regard to the Labour Party, what we want is full support from them in this dispute, it’s a just cause.”
On Thursday, a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Tomorrow’s CWU strike thrusts Royal Mail into the most uncertain time of its 500-year history.
“It is putting jobs at risk and making pay rises less affordable. We are losing £1 million a day.
“We must change to fix the situation and protect high quality jobs.
“We want to protect well-paid, permanent jobs long-term and retain our place as the industry leader on pay, terms and conditions. That is in the best interests of Royal Mail and all its employees.
“We apologise to our customers, and the public for the inconvenience the CWU’s strike action will cause.
“We have offered to meet the CWU numerous times in recent weeks, but they declined each invitation, preferring to spend their time on the political agenda of the UK trade union movement.
“We remain ready to talk with the CWU to try and avert damaging industrial action and prevent significant inconvenience for customers.”
Royal Mail workers begin four-day strike as 115,000 walk out
Further strike dates have been set on August 31, and September 8 and 9
Further strike dates have been set on August 31, and September 8 and 9
Postal workers from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) on the picket line at the Royal Mail Whitechapel Delivery Office in east London / PA
By Bill McLoughlin
3 hours ago
Royal Mail workers have begun a four-day strike over a pay dispute with the company.
On Friday, some 115,000 are expected to stage a walkout, which will last throughout the weekened, with Royal Mail warning that letters will not be delievred, and parcels will be delayed.
Amid the cost of living crisis, workers from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have called for a pay rise which is more in line with the current rate of inflation, which stands at 10.1 per cent.
Workers for the CWU have reportedly rejected a prior offer of 5.5 per cent after prolonged talks and have set further strike dates on August 31, and September 8 and 9.
“We can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks.
“When Royal Mail bosses are raking in £758m in profit and shareholders pocketing in excess of £400m, our members won’t accept pleas of poverty from the company,” CWU general secretary Dave Ward said.
Although services will be severely disrupted, Royal Mail says it will attempt to deliver as many Special Delivery and Tracked 24-hour parcels as possible. Medical prescriptions will also be prioritised.
According to Royal Mail’s latest figures, its operating profit was prejected at £416million in March.
With inflation set to rise to 13 per cent later this year, and the energy price cap hitting £3,549 in October, Mr Ward added: “There can be no doubt that postal workers are completely united in their determination to secure the dignified, proper pay rise they deserve.”
In response, a Royal Mail spokesperson said the business must be able to update its working practices and not ignore technological advancements.
“While our competitors work seven days a week, delivering until 10pm to meet customer demand, the CWU want to work fewer hours, six days a week, starting and finishing earlier,” they added.
“The CWU’s vision for Royal Mail would create a vicious spiral of falling volumes, higher prices, bigger losses, and fewer jobs.”
3 hours ago
Royal Mail workers have begun a four-day strike over a pay dispute with the company.
On Friday, some 115,000 are expected to stage a walkout, which will last throughout the weekened, with Royal Mail warning that letters will not be delievred, and parcels will be delayed.
Amid the cost of living crisis, workers from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have called for a pay rise which is more in line with the current rate of inflation, which stands at 10.1 per cent.
Workers for the CWU have reportedly rejected a prior offer of 5.5 per cent after prolonged talks and have set further strike dates on August 31, and September 8 and 9.
“We can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks.
“When Royal Mail bosses are raking in £758m in profit and shareholders pocketing in excess of £400m, our members won’t accept pleas of poverty from the company,” CWU general secretary Dave Ward said.
Although services will be severely disrupted, Royal Mail says it will attempt to deliver as many Special Delivery and Tracked 24-hour parcels as possible. Medical prescriptions will also be prioritised.
According to Royal Mail’s latest figures, its operating profit was prejected at £416million in March.
With inflation set to rise to 13 per cent later this year, and the energy price cap hitting £3,549 in October, Mr Ward added: “There can be no doubt that postal workers are completely united in their determination to secure the dignified, proper pay rise they deserve.”
In response, a Royal Mail spokesperson said the business must be able to update its working practices and not ignore technological advancements.
“While our competitors work seven days a week, delivering until 10pm to meet customer demand, the CWU want to work fewer hours, six days a week, starting and finishing earlier,” they added.
“The CWU’s vision for Royal Mail would create a vicious spiral of falling volumes, higher prices, bigger losses, and fewer jobs.”
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