“While bosses rake in £758mln in profit and shareholders take £400mln, workers are expected to take a serious real-terms pay cut," said CWU general secretary Dave Ward
Royal Mail PLC (LSE:RMG) is facing a strike over pay from more than 115,000 of its workers, which could be the largest walkout in a summer of industrial action in Britain.
Announcing the results of a ballot of its members, the Communication Workers Union said 97.6% voted for strike action, based on a 77% ballot turnout.
The workers “will not budge” until they receive a “dignified, proper pay rise”, the CWU said, with workers objecting to a 2% pay rise offer that represents a cut in real terms with consumer price inflation above 8% and expected to top 11% in the autumn.
Royal Mail managers have already voted to go on strike earlier this month, with trade union Unite's members due to walk out from Wednesday 20 July until the Friday of that week.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward said the result of the ballot was “a vote of no confidence in Royal Mail’s CEO and board, who should seriously consider their futures in our industry.
“Crucially, the vote can leave no doubt that postal workers are united, and that they are demanding the proper pay rise they deserve.
“While bosses rake in £758mln in profit and shareholders take £400mln, workers are expected to take a serious real-terms pay cut."
He added: “The CWU’s message to Royal Mail’s leadership is loud and clear – not a single postal worker in this country will budge until you get serious and give them a dignified, proper pay rise.”
Royal Mail workers vote to go on strike in dispute over pay
Royal Mail workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay, the Communication Workers Union have announced.(Gareth Fuller/PA) / PA Archive
Royal Mail workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay, the Communication Workers Union have announced.(Gareth Fuller/PA) / PA Archive
ByRobert Dex@RobDexES
2 hours ago
Royal Mail workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay, the Communication Workers Union have announced.
A ballot of union members showed huge support for industrial action in protest at a 2% pay offer.
A total of 97.6%, of those who voted, backed strikes, on a turnout of 77%. The union said it was an unprecedented result.
General secretary Dave Ward said there will now be a “small window” of opportunity for talks to avoid walkouts before strike dates are set.
2 hours ago
Royal Mail workers have voted overwhelmingly to strike in a dispute over pay, the Communication Workers Union have announced.
A ballot of union members showed huge support for industrial action in protest at a 2% pay offer.
A total of 97.6%, of those who voted, backed strikes, on a turnout of 77%. The union said it was an unprecedented result.
General secretary Dave Ward said there will now be a “small window” of opportunity for talks to avoid walkouts before strike dates are set.
He said postal workers received big support from the public for their efforts during the pandemic and would continue to receive backing for their pay campaign.
Mr Ward said the result was “also a vote of no confidence in Royal Mail’s chief executive and board”.
He added: “Crucially, the vote can leave no doubt that postal workers are united, and that they are demanding the proper pay rise they deserve.
“While bosses rake in £758 million in profit and shareholders take £400 million, workers are expected to take a serious real-terms pay cut.
“Postal workers won’t accept their living standards being hammered by bosses who are typical of business leaders today – overpaid, underqualified, out of their depth.
“In our country right now, corporate failure gets rewarded over and over again.
“It’s pathetic that CEOs take home lottery win salaries then offer real-terms pay cuts to people who made them their profit.
“The CWU’s message to Royal Mail’s leadership is loud and clear – not a single postal worker in this country will budge until you get serious and give them a dignified, proper pay rise.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that CWU members have voted in favour of industrial action.
“We offered a deal worth up to 5.5% for CWU grade colleagues, the biggest increase we have offered for many years, which the CWU rejected.
Mr Ward said the result was “also a vote of no confidence in Royal Mail’s chief executive and board”.
He added: “Crucially, the vote can leave no doubt that postal workers are united, and that they are demanding the proper pay rise they deserve.
“While bosses rake in £758 million in profit and shareholders take £400 million, workers are expected to take a serious real-terms pay cut.
“Postal workers won’t accept their living standards being hammered by bosses who are typical of business leaders today – overpaid, underqualified, out of their depth.
“In our country right now, corporate failure gets rewarded over and over again.
“It’s pathetic that CEOs take home lottery win salaries then offer real-terms pay cuts to people who made them their profit.
“The CWU’s message to Royal Mail’s leadership is loud and clear – not a single postal worker in this country will budge until you get serious and give them a dignified, proper pay rise.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that CWU members have voted in favour of industrial action.
“We offered a deal worth up to 5.5% for CWU grade colleagues, the biggest increase we have offered for many years, which the CWU rejected.
“We can only fund this offer by making the changes that will pay for it and ensure Royal Mail can grow and remain competitive in a fast-moving industry.
“Despite nearly three months of talks, the CWU have not engaged in any meaningful discussion on the changes we need to make to adapt. Ensuring we can change, at pace, is the route to protecting well-paid, permanent, jobs long term and retain our place as the industry leader on pay and terms and conditions. That is in the interest of Royal Mail and all its employees.
“In the event of industrial action, we have contingency plans to minimise customer disruption and will work to keep people, businesses and the country connected.”
It comes as the Government announced pay deals for some public sector workers with more than one million NHS staff, including nurses, paramedics and midwives, getting a pay rise of at least £1,400 with lowest earners to receive up to 9.3%.
Eligible dentists and doctors will receive 4.5% and police officers 5%, the Government said.
“Despite nearly three months of talks, the CWU have not engaged in any meaningful discussion on the changes we need to make to adapt. Ensuring we can change, at pace, is the route to protecting well-paid, permanent, jobs long term and retain our place as the industry leader on pay and terms and conditions. That is in the interest of Royal Mail and all its employees.
“In the event of industrial action, we have contingency plans to minimise customer disruption and will work to keep people, businesses and the country connected.”
It comes as the Government announced pay deals for some public sector workers with more than one million NHS staff, including nurses, paramedics and midwives, getting a pay rise of at least £1,400 with lowest earners to receive up to 9.3%.
Eligible dentists and doctors will receive 4.5% and police officers 5%, the Government said.
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