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ISLE of Wight Royal Mail staff have met this morning (Friday) ahead of possible strike action over plans to change the postal service.
Workers walked out of the Royal Mail sorting office on the Riverway Industrial Estate, Newport, to hold gate talks and discuss a ballot on strikes planned for Tuesday, September 17, to Tuesday, October 8.
It follows news Royal Mail’s chief executive, Rico Black, is considering reviewing previous agreements made with staff.
Addressing the Isle of Wight staff, Communication Workers’ Union representative Allan Dexter said: “Six years ago we were privatised and they promised us then they would keep our terms and conditions.
“The new chief executive is gung-ho for everything you can think of. For example, he wants to review the four pillars agreement and get rid of some of the protections we have had for the last four years.”
The four pillars agreement was a deal the union had previously agreed with Royal Mail. It guaranteed, among other things, legal protection in terms of working hours and employment security.
Mr Dexter said: “I’m worried about job losses. At the moment we earn a living reasonable wage — if he takes away our protections, there is nothing stopping them from taking away our pay.
“On top of that, he wants the universal service obligation gone.”
The universal service obligation requires Royal Mail to deliver to all houses in the UK six days a week.
Mr Dexter said: “If he gets the service removed for one of those days, you’re looking at huge job losses.”
