What result of CWU ballot means and if postal strikes are planned in March 2023

Royal Mail workers have voted to strike once again, after they were forced to suspend walk outs due to a legal challenge.

The workers have voted in favour of more industrial action.

Here’s everything you need to know about future strikes by postal workers.

Will there be more strikes?

Royal Mail workers have voted overwhelmingly to continue with a campaign of industrial action in a bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

A fresh ballot of members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) showed almost 96 per cent were in favour of more strikes unless the deadlock is broken.

CWU general secretary, Dave Ward, said it was a “stunning” result which showed that Royal Mail workers were determined to continue campaigning against plans to introduce changes in the company.

He revealed that talks have been held with Royal Mail’s chairman and new members of the board with a view to “refresh” negotiations to try to reach an agreement.

Royal Mail workers have staged a series of strikes in recent months, including in the busy run up to Christmas.

Mr Ward said he believed the Royal Mail board had intervened to allow a different approach to be made.

“The ball is in their court now.

“We are hopeful that a different process can facilitate an agreement.

“If it does not, the postal executive will meet next Wednesday and we will trigger the mandate for strike action – but that is not what we want to do.”

The union has been highly critical of Royal Mail chief executive, Simon Thompson, who has been recalled to be questioned next week by MPs on the Business Select Committee about the dispute.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that the CWU members who took part in the ballot have voted to take further industrial action.

“Even the threat of more strike action by the CWU means more customers will switch their parcel business to our competitors. We remain committed to getting around the table with the CWU, resolving this dispute and agreeing a pay and change deal for our people.

“Should the CWU announce further strike action, we have plans to minimise disruption and get our services back to normal as soon as possible to keep people, businesses and the country connected.

“Royal Mail can have a bright future, and the CWU play a part in that, but further strikes and resistance to change by the CWU will only worsen our financial position and threaten the long-term job security of our postmen and women.

“Not changing is not an option in a business losing £1m a day. The company’s financial position is worsening with every strike day, and we know that it is well understood by our employees. Royal Mail reported losses of almost £300m in the nine months to December 2022, two-thirds resulting from industrial action.

“We urge the CWU to seriously consider our best and final pay offer and to work with us to transform Royal Mail and secure its future. That is in the best interests of Royal Mail and all its employees.”

When will the strikes be?

At the moment we do not have any dates for the upcoming strikes.

No new strikes have been announced but the union’s postal executive will meet next Wednesday to discuss the next move and potentially trigger strike action.

If they agree to strikes it is likely they will be held in March.

Why were the previous strikes cancelled?

Postal staff were due to hold a 24-hour walkout from 16 February but it was blocked by a legal challenge by Royal Mail.

Royal Mail said: “The CWU has cancelled their planned strike action after making an error in their strike notification. Royal Mail welcomes the fact that the strike action has been called off by the CWU. We intend to use this time and space for further discussions to try to agree a deal and we have suggested meetings this week.”

What is the strike over?

Royal Mail claims the strike action last year cost it in excess of £100m, and has said it needs to cut as many as 10,000 jobs by August.

The company is looking to transition more towards parcel delivery and away from delivering letters, which have dwindled in popularity. It previous made a request to the Government to stop delivering letters on Saturdays, which was denied.

Mr Ward said: “We believe there are thousands and thousands more jobs at risk than the 10,000 the company has put forward. They are waging war on the current workforce. Psychological warfare to make the job not worth it. To force people out and replace the workforce.”

He said striking workers had been “threatened” by bosses, adding: “Over 200 representatives and members have been suspended.”

Royal Mail tabled its “best and final” offer to workers in late November. It said the offer included “extensive improvements” that were made during the negotiations with the CWU, including an enhanced pay deal of up to 9 per cent over 18 months, offering to develop a new profit share scheme for employees, and making voluntary redundancy terms more generous.

The union countered with its own offer, which Andy Furey, the CWU’s acting deputy general secretary, said had been “thrown back in our face”.

Royal Mail boss, Mr Thompson, rejected claims the company was intent on “union-busting”, and said: “It is about getting the changes that we need to win. We have spent £900m investing to compete in the parcels market. What we really need now is a change in working practices to compete in that hyper competitive market.”

How is post affected on strike days?

Despite “well-developed contingency plans”, Royal Mail has acknowledged that these “cannot fully replace the daily efforts of its frontline workforce”, with significant disruption on strike dates.

The most significant effect is that Royal Mail does not deliver any letters or parcels on strike days, except those sent by special delivery.

During previous action Royal Mail promised to “prioritise the delivery of Covid test kits and medical prescriptions wherever possible”, alongside other Tracked24 parcels.

Most post offices have remained open, although a few were affected by the CWU action. Any items posted in post boxes or post offices the day before, during or following strike dates have been subject to delays, however.

Royal Mail has a full, in-depth list of FAQs here. It advises its customers to:

• Post items as early as possible in advance of strike dates;
• Keep posting items at post boxes or post offices, but be aware collections will be less frequent on strike days.

Postal deliveries – and collections from businesses, post offices and post boxes – normally resume the day after strikes take place.