Royal Mail started today on clearing a massive backlog of letters as staff returned to work afterthe second 48-hour stoppage within a week. But unofficial “wildcat” strikes took place at a number
of sorting centres across the country, British media reported.Some 130,000 members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) reported for work early thismorning, and started on clearing the backlog which Royal Mail said was equivalent to one day’sworth of postal volumes.
But the BBC reported that stoppages had taken place this morning at sorting offices in Londonand Liverpool, in protest at changes to working hours implemented by management without employeeagreement.
A Royal Mail spokesman was quoted as saying “99%” of staff had returned to work, but it was “extremely concerned” about “unlawful action at a handful of sites”.
The CWU has already called a further stoppage next Monday. The latest talks between the twosides broke down last weekend.
Meanwhile, rival mail company DX, which has a strong business delivering postal to the Londonfinancial markets, was cited as saying its business grew 25% last week. It is the only competitorto Royal Mail with its own delivery network, since others rely on the British national postaloperator for final delivery.
