UK
Royal Mail strikes: Workers to stage fresh 48-hour strike with final dates for Christmas brought forward

Story by Hannah Cottrell • Yesterday

Royal Mail workers are set to stage a fresh 48-hour strike on Wednesday, December 14, bringing postal services to a halt in the run-up to Christmas. Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are set to walk out in an increasingly bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions, with picket lines mounted outside sorting and delivery offices.

Workers are set to strike on December 14 and 15 and on the few days before Christmas on December 23 and 24. A Royal Mail spokesperson said the CWU striking at the busiest time of year is 'deliberately holding Christmas to ransom for customers, businesses and families'.

Meanwhile, the CWU general secretary accused Royal Mail bosses of 'risking a Christmas meltdown because of their stubborn refusal to treat their employees with respect'. The two sides have held talks in recent weeks but the row remains deadlocked. As a result, Royal Mail has brought forward the final posting dates for Christmas cards due to the industrial action.

READ MORE: Police asked to drive ambulances as paramedics walkout in strike action


CWU general secretary Dave Ward during a protest in Central London© PA

The Royal Mail spokesperson continued, saying: "We are doing everything we can to deliver Christmas for our customers, and would like to thank the increasing number of posties returning to work each strike day, temporary workers and managers from across the business who are helping to keep the mail moving.

"However, this task becomes more challenging as Christmas nears", they said. "Three weeks ago, we made a best and final pay offer worth up to 9 per cent over 18 months. Instead of working with us to agree on changes required to fund that offer and get pay into our posties’ pockets, the CWU has announced plans to ballot in the New Year for further strike action.

"Their misguided belief that further industrial action, in a business already losing more than £1 million a day, will result in an improved pay offer is misleading its members and risking their long-term job security."

Related video: Rail strikes to continue over Christmas after pay offer is rejected (PA Media)
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Meanwhile, the CWU said it had offered 'simple solutions' to end the dispute, including a back-dated pay deal of 9 per cent over 18 months, a long-term job security commitment from Royal Mail’s chief executive and a period of calm for negotiations on the future direction of the company.

The union said Royal Mail did not offer to meet with the CWU, adding that planned strikes on Wednesday December 14, Thursday December 15, Friday December 23 and Saturday December 24 are set to go ahead.



Members of the CWU carried a coffin reading 'Royal Fail' during their latest protest in a procession from Parliament Square to Buckingham Palace on December 9© PA

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: "Royal Mail bosses are risking a Christmas meltdown because of their stubborn refusal to treat their employees with respect. Postal workers want to get on with serving the communities they belong to, delivering Christmas gifts and tackling the backlog from recent weeks.

"But they know their value, and they will not meekly accept the casualisation of their jobs, the destruction of their conditions and the impoverishment of their families. This can be resolved if Royal Mail begin treating their workers with respect, and meet with the union to resolve this dispute."

As the last posting dates for arrival for Christmas are brought forward, Post Office branches across the country are set for a busy few days ahead as customers race to ensure cards and gifts arrive on time, with some branches opening for longer hours.

Laura Joseph, Post Office customer experience director said: "As soon as you’ve got your parcels ready to go get them in the post – many Post Office branches are open long hours, and some are open seven days a week so pop into your local branch and get your gifts sent in time for Christmas."The last posting dates for arrival for Christmas Day:

– 1st Class, 1st Class Signed For – December 16

– Special Delivery Guaranteed – December 21

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