Royal Mail strike: What to expect as widespread disruption to services predicted

More than 100,000 Royal Mail workers are striking today (August 26) in a move that will cause widespread disruption to postal services.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said its members are striking for a “dignified, proper pay rise” after they voted in favour by 97.6% in a ballot. General Secretary Dave Ward said: “We can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks” as the cost of living crisis deepens.”

With further strike action planned for August 31 and September 8 and 9, Royal Mail is warning of significant disruption and has issued an update to members of the public on the level of service they can expect.

On days when strike action is taking place:

• It will deliver as many Special Delivery and Tracked24 parcels as possible
• It will prioritise the delivery of COVID test kits and medical prescriptions wherever possible
• It will not be delivering letters (with the exception of Special Delivery)

What it advises the public to do:

• Post their items as early as possible in advance of the strike dates
• Continue to post their items at Postboxes or Post Offices, although collections will be less frequent on days when strike action is taking place.

Royal Mail says that Items posted the day before, during or in the days after any strike action will be subject to delay, while delivery offices and customer service points will be closed on strike days. Post offices will remain open except for a small number of branches which may be closed.

Royal Mail said: “We want to get services back to normal as quickly as possible after any strike action. After industrial action takes place, we’ll be increasing our network capacity and using additional resources to assist with getting services back to normal.

“Collections from business customers, Post Offices and post boxes will resume the day after strike action finishes. Deliveries will also resume the day after strike action finishes. This will include accelerating the delivery of NHS and healthcare letters and critical Government mailings in the days following strike action.”

For further information visit the Royal Mail website.

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