CWU wants a ‘groundbreaking agreement’ to protect staff
The Communication and Workers Union plans to ballot 125,000 Royal Mail workers for strike action in a row over privatisation plans, pension changes and the 2013 pay claim.
Prior to the ballot, the union had already rejected a three-year 8.6 per cent pay offer in July because it was “laden with conditions”. But now the union is concerned that broader talks about the impact of privatisation on job security, and terms and conditions are stalling.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Talks continue but while we talk, the company presses on with privatisation, pension changes, another round of budget cuts and an approach to parcel and packet growth that ignores the real issues and problems in workplaces.
"We are looking to reach a groundbreaking agreement on terms and conditions that sets unprecedented legally binding protection for workers in the event of a sale, and regardless of who owns the company.”
CWU said a strike is “inevitable” unless the company meets the needs of the workforce regardless of ownership.
Ward also criticised Royal Mail for its poor workforce management as the postal service changes to cope with the growth in parcel and package deliveries. He said the union was seeking an agreement that recognises the change in profile of the mail “and puts in place an infrastructure to carry more packets and parcels, while rewarding workers properly and delivering a manageable workload".
Royal Mail’s leaders were labelled “hypocrites” by the union over their approach to pension changes as the union said the employer wanted to cap its contribution rates for staff at 17 per cent while managers benefits remain at 40 per cent.
In a statement Royal Mail said it was “very disappointed” by CWU’s decision to ballot members for action.
“Royal Mail operates in a very competitive market, especially in the parcels market. Customers have a choice and can move their business quickly. We believe a strike is uncalled for, given the highly competitive three year pay offer and legally-binding and enforceable agreement we have offered CWU.”
Ballot papers will be sent out on the 20th of September. If employees vote for a walk out, industrial action could take place as soon as mid October, which would make it the first national postal strike since 2009.