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Managers at Royal Mail will go on strike this months, Unite Union has said. Dates for the walkouts in July have now been confirmed by the union.
The strike has been called in the wake of plans to slash pay by up to £7,000 and cut 700 jobs, Unite has claimed. Managers across Royal Mail intend to stage walkouts from July 15 to July 19, and also from July 20 to July 22.
In response, Royal Mail has condemned the proposed strike action, asserting that there are “no grounds” for it. The exact number of post offices which will be affected is not clear at present, but Sky has reported that as many as 2,400 managers intend to walk out.
READ MORE: UK workers ‘will start saving more than £300 a year’ from this month
The union has warned that the action will cause disruption to services such as tracked items as well as next day deliveries. Nonetheless, Royal Mail has said that there are “contingency plans” in place.
Managers also intend to cease working unpaid overtime as a part of the action. Unite asserts that extra hours worked by managers is a crucial factor in keeping the service running.
(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “This business is awash with cash but it is putting profits and dividends for the few at the top ahead of its duties as a public service. There is not a single aspect of these cuts which is about improving customer service.
“They are being driven entirely by a culture of greed and profiteering which has seized a 500-year-old essential service, driving it close to ruin. Our members are determined to force the business to take a different path, and they have the full backing of Unite.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Unite has notified us of planned industrial action. There are no grounds for industrial action. The extended consultation on our recent restructure concluded earlier this year, and the restructuring is complete.
“We committed to protecting pay for all managers who stay with Royal Mail, and the vast majority have seen an increase in their earnings. We allowed managers to request voluntary redundancy with a package of up to two years’ salary, which was over-subscribed. We also made several concessions during the process, which Unite declined.
“We have contingency plans in place to minimise disruption for customers in the event of industrial action, and we will work to keep people, businesses and the country connected.”
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