Royal Mail staff set to vote on strike action that could have huge impact on deliveries

More than 100,000 Royal Mail workers are set to vote on whether to take industrial action in the coming months.

Staff at the postal giant could go on strike in the coming months in a row over pay, with 115,000 workers set to be balloted on the decision. A ‘yes’ majority could have a massive effect on post and parcel deliveries.

The Communication Workers Union accused bosses at the privatised Royal Mail of being “P&O in sheep’s clothing”, in reference to the ferry operator illegally sacking 800 of their workers in March . The ballot for industrial action is due to open early next week.

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On Wednesday Royal Mail announced a 2% pay rise for workers backdated to April, but the move was criticised by the union as falling short with inflation at a 40-year-high of 9%. Postal Deputy General Secretary of the CWU Terry Pullinger called the pay rise a “ridiculous strategic decision”, The Mirror reports .

“It is an absolute outrage – 2% is nowhere near acceptable,” Mr Pullinger said. He added that there was a “major breakdown in relationships and trust” between the CWU and Royal Mail management.

Simon Thompson, chief executive of Royal Mail, said he was sorry that the postal giant had not managed to agree a pay deal with CWU “despite our best efforts”. He said that several talks had taken place in recent weeks with the union, but the conversations had “made little progress.”

Mr Thompson added: “I am also disappointed that the CWU has already chosen to ballot when we know how damaging the threat of industrial action is to our business.”

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