Unions call off vote on Royal Mail pay deal amid allegations of a ‘toxic’ work environment

A union vote on a pay deal that could have ended the bitter dispute at the Royal Mail has been called off.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) bosses suspended the vote amid allegations of a ‘toxic’ work environment.

The CWU, which represents about 115,000 posties, was due to send ballots to members to give them a say on an agreement brokered last month to end the dispute with the delivery firm that saw workers walk out on strike for 18 days last year.

The offer included a 10 per cent pay rise over three years as well as a £500 bonus payment and a profit-sharing deal. 

But in an extraordinary announcement, the CWU said the ballot would be paused, blaming Royal Mail for ‘attacks in the workplace’.

‘The environment we are attempting to deliver this agreement in remains toxic,’ said CWU general secretary Dave Ward.

The union also made several demands, including an online meeting between all of its UK representatives and managers.

Some sources suggested that the deal negotiated by CWU leaders had faced resistance from the membership, with as many as 32 per cent of posties expected to vote against the agreement.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: ‘The sooner we can get a positive ballot result, the sooner we can give our people the pay rise that we have agreed with the CWU and provide greater job security.’

Shares in Royal Mail owner IDS fell 1.8 per cent, or 3.65p, to 196.95p.