The Royal Mail has been thrown into chaos in a walkout by postal workers over pay and job cuts. Royal Mail are said to be disappointed by the 24 hour stoppage.
Over 95 per cent of postal workers are taking part in the action. It is the first industrial action at Royal Mail for more than a decade.
Communication Workers Union (CWU) general secretary Billy Hayes said:
“The strength of support today has proven that postal workers are resolutely determined to fight against cuts in the public service, against job cuts and for decent basic pay.”
The CWU are looking to the Royal Mail to negotiate on their 2.5 per cent pay offer and plans to modernise the organisation.
“We have seven days with no strikes and this is a window of opportunity for the company to come and negotiate seriously. We urge them to take it,” said Dave Ward, deputy general secretary.
The Unions Executive is meeting Tuesday to consider the next steps. If Royal Mail continue to refuse to negotiate, this is likely to see the announcement of further strike action, warned CWU.
Royal Mail has claimed that support for the strike was patchy. Responding to this claim, Hayes said: “The company has been in denial about their workforce rejecting their plans and are now in denial about the overwhelming support of postal workers taking strike action. It is time for them to stop dismissing the views of their employees, return to the table and start negotiating.”
