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A fresh round of postal strikes is on the horizon after talks between Royal Mail and the Communications Workers Union (CWU) collapsed once again.
Union leaders rejected a 10 per cent pay rise, plus a bonus of up to £1,500, they announced on Wednesday.
The dispute over pay and working conditions has dragged on for several months, and the union has already staged 18 days of strike action since summer 2022. There have not been any strikes so far this year, with a planned 24-hour walkout on 16 February called off following a legal challenge from Royal Mail.
Here’s everything you need to know about the prospect of further walkouts, and the latest on the dispute.
Will there be another Royal Mail strike?
The CWU told its members that it will be “considering all available options” with regards to next steps, meaning further strike action could be on the table.
Unions must give at least two weeks’ notice before calling a strike.
The union has told Royal Mail it is willing to continue negotiations and that progress had been made in several areas of the negotiation, so it is possible another walkout could be avoided.
“The company have published selected aspects of their latest offer directly to employees and claim that the main sticking point is new entrants terms and conditions,” the union told its members.
“This is not true. We have seen these actions throughout this dispute from the employer and we know you will not be fazed.”
Royal Mail said it was “deeply concerned” that talks with CWU “have concluded without an agreement”.
“We have made substantial efforts to reach an agreement, including making a number of further improvements on our offer,” a spokesperson said, insisting the company remained committed to reaching an agreement with the CWU.
“We have been clear throughout the dispute that not transforming our network and working practices is not an option in a business losing more than £1m a day. In the best interests of the business, our customers, and the job security of our postmen and women, change cannot be delayed any further.”
Why are Royal Mail workers striking?
Postal workers are looking to gain a pay rise which is in line with current inflation rates, but the walkouts are also over jobs and conditions. Royal Mail 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 previously made a request to the Government to stop delivering letters on Saturdays, which was denied.
Dave Ward, the CWU general secretary, has 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.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “Throughout the dispute we have highlighted the need for Royal Mail to transform, and been very clear about the damaging impact of strike action.
“We remain committed to getting the right deal, which secures the future of Royal Mail and its workforce – that would be the best outcome for our people, our customers and our shareholders.”
Could Royal Mail go into administration?
The Royal Mail board is reportedly considering putting the postal service in administration if a deal with the union cannot be reached.
It would be a dramatic development putting a huge question mark over the future ownership of the company and its obligation to deliver letters to every address in the country.
The Royal Mail board would have to seek approval from the Government before putting the company into administration.
If the action were taken, it would mean that Royal Mail, including Parcelforce, could be declared insolvent.
In this case, the less profitable letter side of the delivery business could be split from the parcel side. i has previously reported how Royal Mail has been struggling to deliver letters with the business in its current state, with piles of post being left behind as staff contend with a higher workload.
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