British businesses and consumers have been asked to hold back their mail to reduce the impact ofthe one-day nationwide postal strike tomorrow (June 29). Last-minute talks broke down on Wednesday.
The postal union has rejected a 2.5% pay offer.The 24-hour postal strike is due to start at 03:00, and there will be two 6-hour strikes inCrown post offices from 06:00 on 29 June and Monday 2 July. Most post offices, which areindependently-run businesses, will open as normal but mail collection, sorting and deliveryservices will be impacted heavily.
“Customers can help to reduce strain on this skeleton collection service by not posting fromThursday 28 June through to Monday 2 July,” said Postwatch, the UK postal watchdog organisation.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU), representing the vast majority of Royal Mail workers,confirmed the strike would go ahead following failed talks on Wednesday.
“The CWU impressed upon the company that there was no possibility of Royal Mail managementsuccessfully transforming the business unless both parties could reach an agreement that galvanisesthe workforce too,” the postal union stated.
In response, Royal Mail stated it had again stressed to the union that the national postaloperator had to modernise to be able to compete in an “increasingly tough” marketplace for businessmail.
“Royal Mail is extremely disappointed that the union has failed to grasp how damaging astrike will be for our customers, our people and the company,” it added.
