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Thousands of Royal Mail workers will be balloted for industrial action in a row over pay. Staff at the privatised postal service could go on strike in the coming months impacting postal and parcel deliveries.
Royal Mail yesterday (Wed) announced a two per cent pay rise for workers, back-dated to April 1, but the Communication Workers Union accused bosses at the privatised postal giant of being “P&O in sheep’s clothing” reports the Mirror.
Simon Thompson, Royal Mail chief executive, said: “I am sorry that despite our best efforts, we haven’t managed to agree on a pay deal with CWU. We have held several talks with them over recent weeks, but unfortunately, we made little progress and they have ended.
“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.” The ballot for industrial action is due to open early next week.
Terry Pullinger, the CWU’s Deputy General Secretary (Postal), criticised what he called the “ridiculous strategic decision” to impose a pay rise when inflation is running at a 40-year high of nine per cent.
Urging members to hold firm, Mr Pullinger warned that there was a “major breakdown of trust” between the CWU and management, He branded the company “P&O in sheep’s clothing”, in reference to the recent mass sacking of 800 seafarers by the ferry firm.
Mr Pullinger said: “It is an absolute outrage – two per cent is nowhere near acceptable.” He added: “It is a major breakdown in relationships and trust on any level.”
