Royal Mail strike could disrupt Christmas post – and maybe a General Election – as workers vote in favour of industrial action

Royal Mail staff have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.

It comes amid an ongoing dispute between workers and the firm over jobs security and terms of employment.

Although dates for the strike have not yet been revealed, the BBC reports that the union could be considering targeting the annual Black Friday sales in late November and the Christmas post.

It could also cause disruption to a possible General Election predicted to happen in the next couple of months – more than 8 million people registered for postal votes at the last poll.

More than 97 per cent of votes by members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) backed a strike and the turnout was 76 per cent.

The CWU says an agreement reached with Royal Mail management last year to raise pay and reform pensions is not being honoured.

Industrial relations at the company have worsened this year, with widespread unofficial strikes breaking out virtually every week.

Terry Pullinger, the CWU’s deputy general secretary, said the union and its members were facing the “fight of our lives”.

He said: “Just over one year ago the Royal Mail Group Board and the CWU agreed a blue print agreement for the future, a progressive agreement that included an historic pension solution, a mutual interest driven relationship and a joint vision for a successful postal service with social aims.

“Today the new RMG leadership are breaking that agreement.

“Our members take honour seriously and have voted to fight for that agreement against those who now seek to break up the great British Postal service in the interest of fast track profit and greed.

“Integrity and pride still matters and we will not stand aside and see what we have spent our working lives building destroyed.”

He claimed up to 50,000 jobs were at risk in the Royal Mail, as well as in Parcelforce under plans to separate it from the postal business and accused the chief executive of sacking managers and replacing them with “carpet baggers.”

He added: “We are in a fight to the death. We built it – we would rather smash it to bits than hand it over.”

Royal Mail said it was “very disappointed” that a ballot had been held.

A statement said: “A ballot result for industrial action does not necessarily mean there will be industrial action.

“We are still in mediation with the CWU.

“Under our dispute resolution procedure, set out in the Agenda for Growth, we are committed to reaching a resolution.

“No industrial action can be taken, and formal notification of industrial action cannot be given, before the conclusion of the Dispute Resolution Procedure.

“We want to reach agreement.

“There are no grounds for industrial action. Industrial action – or the threat of it – is damaging for our business and undermines the trust of our customers.

“Royal Mail wants to transform to meet our customers’ changing needs as we post fewer letters and receive more parcels.

“Working together at pace, the transformation is about ensuring a more sustainable company, a fairer working environment, the best terms and conditions in our industry and a contemporary Universal Service.”

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