Posties in ‘the fight of their lives’ as they get set to strike in Paisley

Paisley posties will walk out on strike again later this month – as they target one of the busiest periods in the calendar.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced that 115,000 Royal Mail workers will be striking on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25, which is Black Friday – the biggest shopping day of the year.

They will also strike on Wednesday, November 30 and Thursday, December 1 following Cyber Monday on November 28.

And the CWU’s postal executive held a meeting to discuss plans for further disruption during the Christmas period. What this entails will be revealed soon.

Workers are striking for improved pay with the CWU saying that the latest offer, issued on Monday, October 31, of seven per cent over two years, represents a real terms wage cut when inflation is taken into account.

The industrial action is also for the protection of working conditions, with the CWU saying that Royal Mail, which was privatised almost 10 years ago, is seeking to turn the postal profession into a gig-economy style job.

They say the latest offer includes the introduction of owner-drivers into Royal Mail, which they compare to the private hire firm Uber.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “Posties are in the fight of their lives against the Uberisation of Royal Mail and the destruction of their conditions.

“But 115,000 of our members will not just accept this war on their livelihoods and their industry.

“They will never give up the fight to protect this industry and to protect their hard-won working conditions.”

The two-year offer is a seven per cent salary increase, with 5.5 per cent of that to come in this year and then 1.5 per cent next year.

It also includes a non-pensionable lump sum payment of two per cent of this year’s pay.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “On Monday, Royal Mail proposed a new pay-for-change offer to the CWU worth nine per cent over two years, despite making a loss of £219million in the first half of the year. The CWU have been in talks with us at Acas and claim they are open to change, but they now need to show it.

“Instead, the CWU has announced four days of strike action which will damage our business further at our busiest time of year.

“The CWU is playing a dangerous game with its members’ jobs and the future of Royal Mail.

“We urge CWU to withdraw these strikes, for the good of our customers and our people.”

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