Royal Mail looks to take pay dispute to arbitration | Business

Royal Mail is seeking to avoid further industrial action by taking a pay dispute to arbitration and BT has accused union bosses of “reckless” behaviour after including emergency 999 call-handlers in strike plans next month.

Amid an increasing breakdown in industrial relations with big employers as high inflation and an economic downturn hit incomes, Royal Mail said it had written to the Communication Workers Union to propose that talks should be taken to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service in an attempt to find a resolution.

The CWU, which represents more than 115,000 postal workers at Royal Mail, called strikes in late August and early this month and has announced two further strike dates on September 30 and October 1.

Royal Mail also said it