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Teddington Royal Mail workers joined colleagues from across the country in walking out on strike today (October 25th) over continued pay disputes.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) mounted picket lines outside Royal Mail offices, including Teddington.
Over the busy Christmas period, which includes Black Friday and Cyber Monday, a further 16 days of planned walkouts are scheduled in protest at a 2% pay rise. The CWU believe an increase at this level would lead to a ‘dramatic reduction’ in workers’ living standards because of soaring inflation.
When the latest strikes were announced, CWU general secretary Dave Ward said the decision matched the level of angers members felt.
He commented: “There can be no doubt that postal workers are completely united in their determination to secure the dignified, proper pay rise they deserve.
“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.
“Postal workers won’t meekly accept their living standards being hammered by greedy business leaders who are completely out of touch with modern Britain.
“They are sick of corporate failure getting rewarded again and again.”
Royal Mail said: “The CWU’s self-centred actions with the wider trade union movement is putting jobs at risk, and making pay rises less affordable.
“We are losing £1 million a day and the CWU’s strike action is making our situation worse. We want to protect well-paid, permanent jobs long term and retain our place as the industry leader on pay, terms and conditions.
“Each strike day makes that more difficult, making Royal Mail’s future more uncertain than at any time in its long history.”
Royal Mail has advised people to post items as early as possible in advance of strike dates and continue to send items via post boxes or Post Offices – but it warns that collections will be less frequent on days when strike action is taking place.
