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TENS of thousands of defiant postal workers marched through central London in an “electric” rally after walking out in the first of a number of strikes in the run-up to Christmas.
Luke Elgar, 30, from Southend, who’s delivered post in the city for 12 years, took part in the rally and protest in central London on Friday against what he called “devastating” plans by Royal Mail.
Parliament Square in the city was turned pink with 15,000 staff and members from the Communication Workers Union.
It comes as the workers began six days and were also on strike on Sunday with more planned on Wednesday, Thursday as well as December 23 and 24.
Aston Line, Labour councillor for Westborough, said: “As people love their posties I think there’s more support from people who may not usually support strike action like this.
“The turn out was unbelievable and the atmosphere was electric. It was the most energic demonstration I have seen for a long time.”
Mr Elgar said: “It’s clear Royal Mail has a strategy of firing lots of staff and going to a casual worker model. They want to go for the cheapest way and it will destroy the service we give to the public.
“I think its devastating way of doing things to the great company. There were about 15,000 of us in London and it was incredible and sends out a strong message.
“We do not feel Royal Mail is interested in our concern and just treats its staff with distain for wanting good working conditions.”
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “We spent three more days at Acas this week to discuss what needs to happen for the strikes to be lifted. In the end, all we received was another request for more pay, without the changes needed to fund the pay offer.
“While the CWU refuses to accept the need for change, it’s our customers and our people who suffer. Strike action has already cost our people £1,200 each. The money allocated to the pay deal risks being eaten away by the costs of further strike action.
“The CWU is striking at our busiest time, deliberately holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses and families across the country.
“We remain willing to talk at any time about our best and final offer and urge the CWU to call off their damaging strike action.”
