Royal Mail strike: Moonpig issues warning to customers ahead of industrial action

Card company Moonpig has issued a warning to its customers ahead of the strike action by Royal Mail staff taking place.

Around 115,000 Royal Mail employees will be taking part in the industrial action as members of the Communication Workers Union are planning to strike on August 26, August 31, September 8, and September 9 in a dispute over pay.

As a result post will be disrupted and Moonpig have warned customers this will affect their orders.

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The card company is urging customers to order as early as possible to avoid disappointment but add their gifts and flowers use different delivery services so will be unaffected by the strikes.

In a statement they say: “Due to Royal Mail strikes in the coming weeks, there will be delays to First Class card deliveries which will vary depending on when you place your order. The strikes are planned for the following dates:

• Friday 26 August 26
• Wednesday August 31
• Thursday September 8
• Friday September 9

“Unfortunately these delays caused by the Royal Mail strikes are beyond our control so all we can do is advise you to order early where you can. Please note that our gifts and flowers use different delivery services so will be unaffected by the strikes.

“To find out more about your options and cut-off times, head to our delivery page.

“Thank you for understanding and have a great day, Moonpig.”

Why is Royal Mail staff striking and what will it affect?

Royal Mail union members are in a dispute over pay after rejecting Royal Mail’s offer of a 5.5 per cent pay rise. Union members argue they should have a pay rise in line with inflation – which has just hit 10.1 per cent.

Royal Mail has said letters will not be posted on strike days and to expect disruption on days surrounding. The company has apologised to customers, but says it has plans to minimise the disruption.

In a statement it said: “Royal Mail has well-developed contingency plans, but they cannot fully replace the daily efforts of its frontline workforce. We will be doing what we can to keep services running, but customers should expect significant disruption.”

On days when strike action is taking place, Royal Mail says it will:

• Deliver as many special delivery and tracked 24 parcels as possible
• Prioritise the delivery of Covid test kits and medical prescriptions wherever possible
• Not be delivering letters (with the exception of special delivery)

They have also warned that items posted on the day before strike action, or in the days after could be delayed. Customers are being urged to post as early as possible.

Dave Ward, CWU general secretary, said: “Nobody takes the decision to strike lightly, but postal workers are being pushed to the brink. There can be no doubt that postal workers are completely united in their determination to secure the dignified, proper pay rise they deserve.”

Adding that people “can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks. The CWU’s message to Royal Mail’s leadership is simple – there will be serious disruption until you get real on pay,”

Ricky McAulay, operations director at Royal Mail said: “The CWU rejected our offer worth up to 5.5 per cent for CWU grade colleagues, the biggest increase we have offered for many years. In a business that is currently losing £1m a day, we can only fund this offer by agreeing the changes that will pay for it.”

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