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Royal Mail workers, that have taken part in such strong strikes, should not accept a below inflation pay rise
By Nick Clark
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Tuesday 06 September 2022
Issue 2821
Royal Mail workers on strike in Whitechapel, east London in August (picture: Guy Smallman)
Royal Mail workers were set to walk out on Thursday and Friday of this week, in the final two days of their opening salvo of strikes over pay. On Monday union leaders said that after meeting Royal Mail bosses “both parties have agreed to reflect on the position in the next 24 hours”.
The outcome was unclear as Socialist Worker went to press. There should be no deal at less than inflation and unless all the company’s attacks are withdrawn. In any case, with bosses refusing to budge, and no more days of action called at the start of this week, the question facing strikers already is what next.
Workers aren’t just fighting over pay. The members of the CWU union also have a mandate to strike against attacks on working conditions. Bosses want to break up Royal Mail into a parcels company similar to couriers such as Amazon and DHL—with equally poor working conditions.
In a video message last week, CWU deputy general secretary postal Terry Pullinger said bosses were refusing to negotiate. “It’s been made clear to us that the board remit to negotiators is no movement on anything,” he said.
Yet union leaders’ adherence to anti-strike laws means that it could be at least two weeks before more strikes take place. CWU branch secretaries were set to meet with the union’s postal executive committee and headquarters officials to give feedback on the strikes this week. After Friday, Royal Mail workers will have struck for four days—with solid support and mass pickets on each day.
But as the board refuses to back down, union leaders have to announce new dates immediately—and workers have to be prepared to stay out for longer.
More rail strikes planned
A fresh wave of rail strikes are set to shut down Britain’s rail network. Over 40,000 RMT union members employed by Network Rail and 14 train operating companies will down tools on Thursday of next week.
They will be joined by 9,000 train drivers in the Aslef union across 12 operating companies. In separate disputes, RMT members on Hull Trains and Arriva Rail London will walk out for 24 hours on the same day. On Saturday of next week, over 40,000 RMT members will return to the picket lines for 24 hours.
Train managers in the TSSA union employed by nine train operating companies and Network Rail will strike from midday on Monday 26 September for 24 hours. RMT general secretary, Mick Lynch said, “Network Rail and the train operating companies have shown little interest this past few weeks in offering our members anything new.”
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