Six days of Royal Mail strikes called off following legal threat

By Lottie Hood

October 31 2022, 9:33 am

Postal workers at Elgin are on strike today. Picture by Jason Hedges/DC Thomson

Planned strikes by Royal Mail workers over the next two weeks have been called off amid a legal challenge.

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) has withdrawn its planned walkouts due on November 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10.

Continued strike action was being planned to form part of the union’s continuing dispute over pay and conditions.

Following a letter from Royal Mail’s legal team, the union said they have decided to withdraw the industrial action.

The union have said the company have 10 days of talks to “prove they want an agreement”. If not, they said walkouts will continue from Saturday, November 12.

On Monday, Royal Mail offered 7% salary increase over two years, plus a lump sum payment of 2% this year.

It is not clear if CWU will accept. The union will meet on Tuesday to consider further strike action.

‘Never been more vital to continue the fight’

Postal workers official picket line at the Royal Mail Delivery Office in Inverurie. Image: Kami Thomson / DC Thomson

This break in strikes follows months of ongoing industrial action across the UK and has caused frustration in CWU members.

Acting deputy general secretary of CWU, Andy Furey, said: “We entirely understand the anger felt by many over the decision but we believe it is a necessary move to protect our dispute.

“Our members have been facing down serious harassment from the highest levels of Royal Mail as they defend their industry and those communities they serve.

“They will not be forced into submission so easily, and we will be reminding the company of their determination at Acas in the coming days.”

Posting on social media, CWU London Division encouraged members to keep fighting.

They stated: “Please don’t turn inwards. You have all been heroes and stalwarts thus far in fighting for your terms and conditions and a decent pay rise.

“It has never been more vital that you continue with the fight. Remember the stakes could not be higher.”

Royal Mail redundancies next year could reach 6,000

Royal Mail strike in Inverness in August. Image: Sandy McCook.

The union has been demanding pay rises that would help shield staff from the cost of living crisis.

However, Royal Mail is demanding an element of this should be linked to modernisation plans.

These include Sunday parcel deliveries and have already revealed plans for up to 6,000 redundancies next year. If walkouts continue, the company has warned this figure will rise.

Royal Mail said in a statement: “The CWU has withdrawn strike action following Royal Mail writing to CWU to highlight numerous material concerns with the formal notification of planned rolling strike action.

“We will continue to do all we can to keep business, companies and the country connected.”