Royal Mail has agreed in a deal with the UK postal union CWU not to cut any postal jobs inLondon to avert postal strikes in the capital following a vote for industrial action but plans to
close two of its seven mail centres in the city.The new agreement was achieved after two weeks of intensive talks following a Yes vote forstrike action on 24th May, the Communication Workers Union reported. It guarantees there will be nocompulsory redundancies as major workplace change is rolled out. In addition, the workersrelocating to Heathrow will be paid more money and transportation will be provided for staffrelocating to Jubilee in Feltham. Royal Mail has also assured “a more consensual approach taken bymanagement when consulting and offering options to staff affected by change”.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, commented on the deal: “Negotiations have beendifficult, but the agreement we have breaks new ground on job security for postal workers, whichhas been our key concern. These employment safeguards are amongst the very best in the UK.”
Royal Mail confirmed that its sites in South and East London will still be shut down in August2012. As a result, 750 jobs will be cut, with around 580 people expected to leave the company onvoluntary redundancy packages which are worth up to two year’s salary. A further 700 full-timeemployees have also expressed an interest in the package, Royal Mail said reportedly.
“Royal Mail and the union have committed to a new joint consultation of staff in London to givethem real choice over their futures. It means every existing full and part-time employee who wantsto remain in Royal Mail employment can now do so. There is also more money available for people whotransfer, improved job allocation procedures and better commitments on transport issues,” Wardacknowledged.
“It will mean two out of the seven mail centres within Greater London closing in the summer of2012, but crucially this will now be done in a way that puts people first. It’s an importantapproach that will bring necessary operational change which looks after staff and customers as wellas the company,” he concluded.
