Over 115,000 Royal Mail workers are set to go on strike following a vote concerning pay disputes. After ballot papers were sent out three weeks ago, members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), an overwhelming 97.6% of a 77% turnout voted in favour of strike action.
Dates for the strike have not yet been decided by the CWU, but the union has noted that if industrial action does take place it would be the biggest strike to date from the members. The CWU is just one of many unions balloting in recent weeks as the cost of living skyrockets.
‘Dry your eyes mate’
The Royal Mail has said that it is ‘disappointed’ by the verdict.
On Twitter, the postal company said; ‘We’re disappointed that members have voted in favour of industrial action.
‘This ballot result does not necessarily mean there will be industrial action. We will continue to seek an agreement.’
In response, the CWU tweeted: ‘Dry your eyes mate.’
Workers across the country have also been fighting pay disputes, for example the recent headlines made by railway and airport employees who went on strike as the cost of living soars and prices rise exponentially.
The CWU has asserted that postal workers ‘will not budge [until they get a] dignified, proper pay rise.’ They have also requested that the Royal Mail negotiates to get a ‘straight, no-strings pay increase for workers.’
CWU general secretary Dave Ward has noted there will only be a ‘small window’ for talks before walkouts. He also said that Royal Mail’s chief executive and board ‘should seriously consider their futures’ and consider the result to be ‘a vote of no confidence.’
He continued: ‘Postal workers won’t accept their living standards being hammered by bosses who are typical of business leaders today – overpaid, underqualified, out of their depth.’
‘Disgraceful imposition’
The Royal Mail maintains that it has offered its workers ‘a deal worth up to 5.5% for CWU grade colleagues, the biggest increase we have offered for many years, which the CWU rejected.
‘Despite nearly three months of talks, the CWU have not engaged in any meaningful discussion on the changes we need to make to adapt,’ a statement said.
Terry Pullinger, deputy CWU general secretary, said they wanted to negotiate with Royal Mail, but alleged that this had been ‘rejected,’ leaving union representatives with ‘no choice but to fight their disgraceful imposition.’