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Postal services in Scotland are likely to be hampered in the near future after Royal Mail workers voted overwhelmingly in favour of strikes in a dispute over pay.
A ballot of members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) showed huge support for industrial action in protest at a 2% pay offer. A total of 97.6%, of those who voted, backed strikes, on a turnout of 77%. The union said it was an unprecedented result.
General secretary Dave Ward said there will now be a “small window” of opportunity for talks to avoid walkouts before strike dates are set. He said postal workers received big support from the public for their efforts during the pandemic and would continue to receive backing for their pay campaign.
He said: “While bosses rake in £758m in profit and shareholders take £400m, workers are expected to take a serious real-terms pay cut. 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.”
The CWU’s own Twitter account announced the ballot results on Tuesday, writing: “We did it – 97.6% yes, 77% turnout, 115,000 members, 1,500 workplaces. Stunning. Thank you to every single one of our members and representatives.”
(Image: PA Images)
Do you support posties going on strike for better wages? Share your views in the comments.
Royal Mail has previously insisted that workers have “no grounds” for action after offering to boost the 2% pay rise to 5.5%. It told the Reuters news agency that it had contingency plans in place should a walkout take place.
Shop stewards are hoping to achieve greater pay rises for workers being squeezed by the cost of living crisis, as inflation hit 9.1% as of last month. No dates have been suggested by the CWU for action.
The impending walkout by posties come just after Royal Mail managers affiliated with Unite called off a 72 hour strike over pay and planned cuts to staff. Almost two thirds of 2,400 managers agreed to get back round the table after Royal Mail bosses hammered out a new agreement.
Mike Eatwell, national officer for Royal Mail managers, said of the cancelled strike: “Unite’s members today have accepted the senior management’s return to the negotiating table to improve upon the jobs already put back into the crucial delivery and collections services. Royal Mail’s changed approach is noticeable but there is further to go.
“It was always concerning that the junior and middle managers of the company felt so disrespected they were willing to take industrial action. But the resolve shown by our members in the face of considerable pressure has been admirable. With a share price halved in value and quality of service under severe pressure it is to be hoped lessons have been learnt by all.”
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