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Royal Mail workers in Campbeltown joined colleagues across the country in taking strike action calling for better pay and conditions in the face of spiralling inflation.
Postal staff formed picket lines outside delivery offices on Thursday September 8, in a third day of strikes, but following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II that afternoon, a fourth day of industrial action on Friday September 9 was called off.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents Royal Mail Group workers, said last Thursday: ‘Out of respect for her service to the country and her family, the union has decided to call off tomorrow’s planned strike action.’
A meeting was held on Monday to discuss the next steps for the strike action on September 30 and October 1.
More than 115,000 postal workers across the UK, including 14,500 in Scotland, are taking part in the biggest strike of summer so far, to demand a ‘dignified, proper pay rise’.
The CWU is demanding that Royal Mail Group ‘makes an adequate pay award that covers the current cost of living increases for our members.
‘However, the management of Royal Mail Group decided to impose a two per cent pay rise on its employees through executive action, those same employees who were given key worker status at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘In an economic climate where inflation has soared to 11.7 per cent, the imposition would lead to a dramatic reduction in workers’ living standards.’
CWU 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.
‘When Royal Mail bosses are raking in £758 million in profit and shareholders pocketing in excess of £400 million, our members won’t accept pleads of poverty from the company.’
Royal Mail did not respond to a request for a response.
