Two 24-hour nationwide postal strikes to start next Thursday
Oct 16 2009 by Graeme Brown, Birmingham Post
Mail deliveries will be crippled by two nationwide postal strikes next week as a bitter row over pay, jobs and working conditions refuses to die.
About 42,000 mail centre staff and drivers will walk out next Thursday for 24 hours, followed by another 24-hour stoppage on Friday by 78,000 delivery and collection staff.
The Communication Workers’ Union said it had made a “genuine offer” to avert a national strike and accused the Royal Mail of rejecting it without proper consideration.
Union members voted by 3-1 to take national industrial action after a spate of regional strikes.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: “We made a genuine offer to Royal Mail that would have given space for detailed discussions without a strike.
“We were severely disappointed that within two or three hours the company rejected it, apparently without even affording it proper consideration.
“Our offer included the opportunity for a three-year deal that would bring stability to customers, business and the workforce. This industry is crying out for stability and yet Royal Mail rejects out of hand a genuine attempt to deliver it.
“We reiterate that offer today and ask that Royal Mail look again. Making progress on some key elements of that offer would mean an immediate strike could be avoided.”
The union said it was still prepared to explore third-party mediation, and revealed that talks with the Royal Mail had been held this week.
The CWU called on the Government to intervene in the dispute – as it has with Vauxhall and Lloyds Bank – and warned that the Royal Mail’s pension deficit is expected to exceed £10 billion.
A total of 83 MPs have signed a Commons Early Day Motion calling on the Government and Royal Mail to support a peace deal.
Royal Mail’s managing director, Mark Higson, said the CWU’s decision to call a national strike was an appalling and unjustified attack on customers and showed a reckless disregard for everyone who depended on the company.
“Customers large and small have been hoping the CWU would lift the strike threats and focus on providing the service they need and want – instead the union has given them a slap in the face.
“The CWU’s strike announcement simply shows just how dishonest the union’s claim to embrace the need to modernise is, and underlines the union’s opposition to simple changes such as its members working flexibly for all of the hours they are paid and using the equipment provided to do the job.
“The CWU is demanding an absolute veto over future change and modernisation – and demanding more money – backed up with strike action, which they know will drive customers away.”
