Angry postal workers plan 3-day strike

2 July 2009

On the same day as Lord Mandelson confirmed that the Royal Mail would stay in public hands postal workers announced a week of industrial action in London.

In protest against the way in which Royal Mail is being reformed, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) said that postal workers would stage a three-day walkout across London next week. Delivery workers will strike on Wednesday, distribution and logistics staff on Thursday and mail centre employees the following day. The industrial action is expected to disrupt mail service across all three days.

The CWU believes that Royal Mail has broken the 2007 agreement on pay and reform by driving through cuts without pursuing modernisation.

Martin Walsh, CWU London divisional representative, said: “Postal workers cannot continue with the levels of cuts on hours, jobs and wages by aggressive management which we are currently experiencing. Staff are nearing breaking point and services will be hit if modernisation isn’t brought forward.
 
“We do not have our heads in the sand when it comes to the challenges that Royal Mail face. We want automation, better industrial relations and faster progress on modernisation. But this cannot be driven by bullies who want to heap work on postal workers without supporting them through modernising the business or who are intent on driving down pay and conditions.”

Walsh said that the union had offered a three-month moratorium on industrial action if Royal Mail is willing to engage on modernisation. The strike could still be called off if Royal Mail is willing to shift ground.

"Head-in-the sand approach"

Business secretary Lord Mandelson condemned the strike action. “This is exactly the head-in-the sand approach I have warned about.  The Royal Mail needs to change and modernise to turn itself round and compete effectively.  The union nationally agreed a way forward two years ago.  But its own branches are standing in the way of progress.  

“The need for modernisation in Royal Mail has not gone away. We have heard a lot from both management and the CWU that they are up for change.  Now it’s time to deliver it.

“Endless industrial relations problems and disputes are damaging the company and their ability to compete.”

"Falling volumes"

Royal Mail also condemned the CWU’s decision. “Royal Mail is simply asking for the union to honour existing agreements on modernisation and changes in working practices - including the agreement its leaders signed in the presence of the TUC in 2007 - to address falling volumes and to improve efficiency in London as our people have already done successfully in units throughout the UK. 

“The fact is that 20 per cent fewer items are being delivered in central London each day compared to two years ago, while efficiency lags behind the rest of the UK, with productivity in some parts of the capital around 35 per cent below the best UK units.”

The carrier also said that the public would be unable to understand the strike action because of the CWU’s public commitment to modernisation.

The government has made £3.5bn of funding available to Royal Mail, including commercial loans of £1.2bn to support modernisation. In 2007 Royal Mail accounted for 60 per cent of the days lost to industrial action across the whole UK economy.

Lord Mandelson told the House of Lords yesterday that there was no prospect of finding a buyer to acquire a stake in Royal Mail until market conditions improved.

Business also expressed concern about the likely impact of the strike. Nigel Bourne, director of CBI London, told FM World: “This strike will cause great disruption at a time when many businesses are preparing for the summer break. The length of this action is particularly worrying and will further damage confidence in a vital service.”