Britain is heading for a fresh round of postal strikes in October following the recent breakdown oflast-ditch negotiations between Royal Mail and the postal union CWU.
The CWU announced late yesterday that there will be further strike action in response toRoyal Mail’s “draconian and destructive” proposals on pay and business changes. The union hascalled a 48-hour strike on October 5-6 and a further 48-hour strike on October 8-9. From the weekcommencing October 15, there would be a rolling programme of functional strikes to continue weeklyuntil the resolution of the dispute.
Dave Ward, Deputy General Secretary, said: “Despite five weeks of negotiations Royal Mailhave failed to take on board the union’s message that in order for the business to succeed RoyalMail need to invest in their workforce. Strikes are a proportionate response to an employer that iscompletely out of control. Rather than running the business, Royal Mail’s actions demonstrate theyare intent on destroying it.
The CWU said it remains committed to reaching an agreement which benefits the business andemployees and will continue talking to management.
In response, Royal Mail condemned the decision to call further strikes and reiterated theoffer it had made during five weeks of talks held with mediators. It also criticised the CWU forfailing during seven months of talks to produce any serious proposals that could help resolve theissues and move the business forward.
“It is clear from our discussions that the CWU leadership does not begin to understand thechallenges facing Royal Mail and the very serious consequences for the business if we do not pushahead and modernise,” Royal Mail declared.
The British postal operator said that as a result of the CWU decision to return to strikeaction, it would begin to make the proposed changes without a union agreement.
