Royal Mail workers to strike 19 times over next two months

The postal strikes will impact Black Friday and the build-up to Christmas

Royal Mail workers will be staging 19 postal strikes over October and November in a dispute over pay and working conditions.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) confirmed that the action over the next two months will be a mixture of single days and rolling action across the Royal Mail Group.

The union said the industrial action will have a “dramatic impact” and said it was a case of “now or never to save the Royal Mail.”

Each member of the CWU will strike for a maximum of nine days each.

The strikes will cover peak mail periods such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the Christmas build-up.

The CWU explained that the decision follows a threat centred around the “outrageous” decision by Royal Mail Group’s senior management to withdraw from major national agreements, push ahead with cuts to workers’ terms and conditions and “completely sideline” the union.

We have just announced a further 19 days of strike action across Royal Mail Group in the lead up to Christmas.

It’s now or never to save the Royal Mail.

Our members are going to need you more than ever.

RT if you back them. #StandByYourPost

— CWU (@CWUnews) September 27, 2022

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “This is a significant announcement, but it is one which matches the level of anger our members feel at the way Royal Mail Group has treated them. The chief executive of Royal Mail Group is treating postal workers as if they are stupid.

“These are the same people that have kept the country connected and returned Royal Mail Group to record profit.

“Postal workers across the UK now face the fight of their lives to save their jobs and the service they provide to every household and business in the UK.

“We call on everyone to stand with their local postal worker.

“If Royal Mail Group are allowed to get away with this then it sends a green light to every rogue big business in the UK.

“We will not stand by and see the Royal Mail Group become the next P&O but we need your backing to win.”

On Wednesday morning, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted his support for postal workers and praised them for fighting back against bosses “refusing them fair pay.”

Postal workers are uniting and fighting back against the bosses taking home millions and refusing them fair pay.

Solidarity with @CWUnews — support your postie and join your local picket line.https://t.co/VpNXQQXW8S

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) September 28, 2022

“This evening, rather than responding to our offer of Acas talks, the CWU announced further damaging industrial action, once again taking the path of prolonging disruption over resolution.

“Further strikes and resistance to transformation by CWU will only make our financial position worse, and threatens the long-term job security of our postmen and women.

“The CWU has a responsibility to recognise the reality of the situation Royal Mail faces as a business and engage urgently on the changes required.

“We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience the CWU’s continued strike action will cause. We are doing all we can to minimise any delays and keep people, businesses and the country connected.”