Why is there a Royal Mail strike and will my post be affected?

ROYAL Mail staff are going on strike once again – with 115,000 postal workers walking out in a row over pay.

But how will this affect postal deliveries? Here’s everything you need to know.

Why is there a Royal Mail strike?

Around 115,000 Royal Mail workers across 1,500 locations in the UK are taking part in strikes across four different days – resulting in the biggest strike of the summer and the country’s largest since 2009.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) at Royal Mail are striking after rejecting a pay rise of 2%.

Royal Mail have called the strikes by CWU members “self-centred.”

This comes after members of the Communication Workers Union have called on Royal Mail to increase wages to an amount that covers the current cost of living crisis.

Speaking on the matter a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “The CWU’s self-centred actions with the wider trade union movement is putting jobs at risk, and making pay rises less affordable, making Royal Mail’s future more uncertain than at any time in its long history.”

CWU’s Dave Ward said: “The company imposed a 2% pay increase on postal workers.

”Against the background of rocketing inflation, rocketing energy bills, it’s simply not acceptable.

”We are going to fight hard to get our members the pay deal that they deserve.’

Industrial action first began on Friday, August 26, 2022 – and will continue for a second day on Wednesday, August 31, 2022.

Will my post be affected?

Due to the strike action, Royal Mail have confirmed that services will be disrupted.

On the dates the strikes are taking place, letters will not be delivered – with the exception of Special Delivery.

As many Special Delivery and Tracked24 parcels will be delivered as possible – but it’s not guaranteed everyone will receive theirs during strike action.

Royal Mail have also confirmed that they are prioritising the delivery of Covid testing kits and medical prescriptions wherever possible.

Postal collections will also be affected on the days strike action is taking place – however, customers are still advised to continue posting items at Postboxes or Post Offices.

Royal Mail adds: “However, we cannot guarantee delivery of all items by 9am or 1pm next day.

“We will therefore suspend the next day guarantee for items sent the day before, during strike action and until our services are back to normal.

“Customers will not be able to claim compensation for items which are delayed during this period.”

Despite Royal Mail having well-developed contingency plans, they cannot fully replace the daily efforts of its frontline workforce.

When are the other Royal Mail strike dates?

Further strikes are planned for September 8, 2022 and September 9, 2022.

Customers are being advised to post items as early as possible in advance of these strike dates.