Southampton Royal Mail workers join picket lines as strike action begins

Waving flags and banners they gathered at Royal Mail sites in Shirley, Bitterne and Winchester.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) confirmed earlier this month that around 115,000 of its members across the country would strike for better pay in the biggest strike of the summer so far. 

This union previously rejected a two percent pay rise offer with members saying it’s “not enough to make ends meet”.

Meanwhile, the union’s general secretary Dave Ward slammed management for “rewarding themselves with record bonuses”.

Stewart Hardie, deputy CWU Representative for Wessex South Central said: “There is solidarity throughout the union and across the country, ordinary people are striking for a decent pay rise.

“I am pleased with everyone coming out to support [us]. We nearly have a complete turnout across the offices. We hope for an agreement to be reached.”

Debbie Kill, Women’s officer for Wessex South Central

Debbie Kill, 57, from New Forest said that despite disruptions to postal services, strikers have received “great public support”.

She said: “Some of us have been out since four or five in the morning and the public support has been a great push for us.

“You can hear people passing in their cars beeping and shouting us on. It makes me proud to be here to represent my union and other workers striking today.

“I would like the CEO and the rest of Royal Mail to reach an agreement with our union.”

Royal Mail has apologised for disruptions saying that letters will not be delivered on strike days.

The delivery of Covid tests, medical prescriptions, special delivery, and tracked 24 parcels will be prioritised.

Stewart Gooch the longest serving postal worker in Shirley

Stewert Gooch, 65, has been a postal worker for over 48 years and says that strike actions is “just as strong as it was in the 70s.”

He said: “The strike is not as visibly big as it was in the 70s but that’s because we’re all split up in separate offices.

“It takes a lot from us to be able to strike but to get the boss’s attention and to be able to survive it’s an opportunity for us all.” 

The CWU has previously rejected a pay rise offer “worth up to 5.5 per cent” after three months of talks from the initial 2 percent offer.

Councillor John Savage attended protesting at Shirley’s Royal Mail Delivery Office to “show solidarity” with strikers.

He said: “As a Labour councillor it is part of our duty to support unions. I’m a part of the union and have been for many years.

“I support industrial action especially with the cost of fuel and cost of living these rising costs need to be met with fair pay.”

Further strikes are set to take place on Wednesday, August 31, Thursday, September 8, and Friday, September 9.

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