Royal Mail on course for strike over crucial Christmas period | Business

A strike by 115,000 Royal Mail workers begins today as industrial action looks set to last all the way to the crucial Christmas trading period.

The Communication Workers’ Union has called strikes over the next fortnight, demanding a cost-of-living pay rise in line with inflation that is running at more than 10 per cent.

It has rejected a 2 per cent pay rise and an offer from Royal Mail that would give pay increases worth up to 5.5 per cent for some workers but would be tied to agreements to substantially change working practices.

The union has a mandate from its members, with 97 per cent support, to continue action over a six-month period, which does not expire until January. It appears likely that the