Posties take to the picket lines as 48-hour Royal Mail strike begins ahead of further 19 days of walkouts in next two months
- Picket lines have been mounted outside Royal Mail delivery and sorting offices
- It is the start of a 48-hour Royal Mail strike in a worsening dispute over pay
- Members of the CWU walked out, hitting deliveries of post across the country
- This comes ahead of a further 19 days of walkouts over the next two months
Posties have taken to the picket lines as a 48-hour Royal Mail strike began ahead of a further 19 days of walkouts over the next two months in a worsening dispute over pay.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) walked out, hitting deliveries of post across the country.
Talks between the two sides were held on Thursday but there was no sign of any progress being made and the union is planning to step up industrial action in the coming weeks.
People have also taken to social media to voice how the strikes are impacting them, with small businesses struggling due to the failed delivery of goods and NHS appointment letters delivered so late important scans have been missed.
The union said the walkout by around 115,000 of its members is the biggest strike of the year amid long-running disputes in other sectors.
Posties have taken to the picket lines as a 48-hour Royal Mail strike began ahead of a further 19 days of walkouts over the next two months in a worsening dispute over pay
Pictured: A postman pat toy sits at the strike picket outside Royal Mail Camden Delivery Office
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) walked out, hitting deliveries of post across the country
Talks between the two sides were held on Thursday but there was no sign of any progress being made and the union is planning to step up industrial action in the coming weeks
A further 19 days of strikes have been announced on different days throughout October and November in a major escalation of the dispute.
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.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward (pictured) 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
He added: ‘The chief executive of Royal Mail Group is treating postal workers as if they are stupid’
Pictured: CWU general secretary Dave Ward with strikers outside Royal Mail Camden Delivery Office
‘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.’
A Royal Mail spokesman said: ‘The CWU can be in no doubt of the impact its reckless pursuit of 19 days of industrial action has on our weakened financial position and the job security of its members.
‘Royal Mail is losing £1 million a day. We operate in a competitive market, and our customers have choices. Continued strike action will force our customers to make those choices sooner rather than later.
‘Our invitation to enter into talks through Acas remains open. Our people need the CWU leadership to recognise the reality of the situation Royal Mail faces as a business, and to engage urgently on the changes required to adapt to customer demands in a highly competitive market.
‘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.’
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