Letter deliveries six days a week are on the verge of being axed, union bosses hint

Union bosses have hinted they will accept an end to six-day letter deliveries, paving the way for Royal Mail to make historic cuts to postal services.

The Communication Workers Union leaders have suggested they will back reforms to the universal service obligation (USO), which legally guarantees deliveries six days a week.

The CWU, which represents 110,000 postal workers, admitted the current service is ‘no longer financially viable’.

Royal Mail has long argued for changes to rules forcing it to deliver letters UK-wide for six days a week.

It has submitted a proposal to Ofcom for first-class deliveries to continue on Saturdays but second-class post to be delivered only every other day. The CWU had previously opposed the ‘killing off’ of the six-day postal service.

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky (pictured) has launched a £3billion takeover bid for Royal Mail and the CWU has expressed concerns that a new owner could impact its members’ working terms and conditions

But at the union’s conference last week, deputy general secretary Martin Walsh said: ‘The reality is, the USO as a six-day option is no longer financially viable. The challenges we face are so significant – probably the most challenging time in this union’s history, whether it’s the USO change, sale or possible takeover.’

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky has launched a £3billion takeover bid for Royal Mail and the CWU has expressed concerns that a new owner could impact its members’ working terms and conditions.

Royal Mail, which reported losses of £419million in 2022/23, says its proposals would cut nearly 1,000 jobs and save around £300million a year.

But postal affairs minister Kevin Hollinrake told The Times: ‘There is no done deal here and, as far as we are concerned, the USO remains.’

An Ofcom spokesman said: ‘We believe it’s important there’s a national debate, so everyone can have their say before we make any recommendations.’