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The threat of industrial action will dismay millions of people who rely on the postal service to get cards and presents to family in time for Christmas. And it will be a further blow to small businesses that use the Royal Mail to supply their customers as they struggle with soaring inflation and energy costs.
Last week the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU), which represents 115,000 Royal Mail staff, called on its members to reject the company’s latest offer of a nine per cent pay rise over two years, which they claimed is “derisory”.
It announced two 48-hour strikes on November 24 and 25, and November 30 and December 1 to coincide with the busy Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping periods. In response, Royal Mail chiefs urged workers not to walk out at the “busiest time of the year”.
But the CWU has now confirmed it is “not ruling out” even more strikes in the run-up to the festive season.
The news came after rail workers’ union the RMT cancelled a week of strikes that were due to start today.
Friday night’s 11th-hour decision was welcomed but much of the network was still affected as plans to cope with the disruption had already been put in place.
Many trains remained in sidings, including at Ely, in Cambridgeshire. Thousands of rugby fans heading to Cardiff for Wales’ autumn international against New Zealand were forced to take long bus trips home.
Industrial action planned by the TSSA for Monday and Wednesday at 14 train firms has been axed.
But a strike by London Overground and Underground workers is to go ahead on Thursday.
RMT boss Mick Lynch said “intensive negotiations” over pay and conditions with Network Rail will now begin.
And a Rail Delivery Group spokesman said: “It is positive the RMT leadership have stepped back from the brink and called off
their action.”
