Royal Mail workers to strike for four days over coming weeks

Postal workers are to stage a series of strikes in the coming weeks in a dispute over pay. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said it will be the biggest strike of the summer so far to demand a “dignified, proper pay rise”.

The strikes will be held on Friday August 26, Wednesday 31st and September 8 and 9. The walk outs follow a recent ballot for strike action where members voted 97.6 per cent in favour on a 77 per cent turnout to take action.

The union said management responded by imposing a 2 per cent pay rise, which it believed would lead to a “dramatic reduction” in workers’ living standards because of soaring inflation. CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “Nobody takes the decision to strike lightly, but postal workers are being pushed to the brink.

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“There can be no doubt that postal workers are completely united in their determination to secure the dignified, proper pay rise they deserve. We can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks.

“When Royal Mail bosses are raking in £758 million in profit and shareholders pocketing £400 million, our members won’t accept pleads of poverty from the company. Postal workers won’t meekly accept their living standards being hammered by greedy business leaders who are completely out of touch with modern Britain.

“They are sick of corporate failure getting rewarded again and again. The CWU’s message to Royal Mail’s leadership is simple – there will be serious disruption until you get real on pay.”

CWU deputy general secretary Terry Pullinger added: “Our members know full well what they are worth. They are willing to fight for