Royal Mail Strike Ballot

2nd September 2013

CWU, the union representing postal workers, today (Monday) announced it will ballot for a national postal strike this month, if current ongoing talks with Royal Mail do not bring agreement. CWU is planning for ballot papers to go out on 20 September to 125,000 Royal Mail workers in what would be the first national strike ballot since 2009.

The union is in dispute regarding the settlement of its 2013 pay claim, further changes to workers’ pension scheme, the impact of possible privatisation on job security and terms and conditions, and the company’s future strategy.

CWU will give notice for the ballot of all Royal Mail and Parcelforce (but not Post Office) workers to commence on 20 September with a result to be announced on 3 October. If there was a yes vote, the union would then be able to give 7 days’ notice for strike action, with the earliest strike action possible from 10 October.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, who is leading the current talks for CWU, said: “We are dealing with a company that is preparing for privatisation with relish. While the union continues to fight privatisation we are also dealing with the potential realities for workers if there is a change of ownership.

“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. Postal workers know franchising, break up and sale of mail centres, distribution hubs and Parcelforce, along with the introduction of a new workforce on lower terms and conditions, are real threats in a race to the bottom with mail competitors for any new company.

“We want Royal Mail and the government to put protections in place that are both meaningful and lasting” he added.

Strike “inevitable”

CWU believes a strike is inevitable unless the company meet the needs of the workforce regardless of ownership.

“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. This culture of mis-management has to stop and our members need and deserve a decent pay increase, protections for terms and conditions, protection of their pension benefits and manageable workloads” concluded Dave Ward.

Pay and conditions

The union has already rejected a below-inflation pay offer for 2013 which is linked to accepting major changes to working conditions and pensions. CWU is demanding a straightforward, above inflation, no strings pay deal which 99% of workers voted for in a consultative ballot in June. In addition, CWU is seeking an agreement on terms and conditions being protected for 10 years in the event of change of ownership.

Dave said: “Royal Mail continues to prepare for privatisation with relentless rounds of budget cuts in offices across the UK. There is no understanding that the pace of change can really only be led by how hard people can work and CWU members are being driven to absorb absences, carry increasing amounts of mail and work harder than is possible in many cases. We have reached breaking point, particularly in delivery offices and the culture has to change.”

Workplace stress

There is a range of local disputes and strikes, either close or already in progress, as Royal Mail continues annual rounds of budget cuts in workplaces that are stretching workers to the limit.CWU is looking to address these issues by agreeing working practices that are manageable and take into account for the first time, the growth in parcels and packets in the mail.

“Royal Mail has announced it is a parcel company that carries letters but has no clue how to manage that change” said Dave, adding: “We need 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.”

Pensions

In addition, Royal Mail has created more concern for its staff by announcing new problems with its pension scheme. Despite the government taking control of the assets in 2012 to pave the way for privatisation, the company wants to use remaining assets to reduce its own contributions. The company completed a formal consultation in August and the union is calling for an agreed process to protect members’ benefits.

“There is a great hypocrisy in the way the scheme is being managed by Royal Mail” said Dave Ward. “The company wants to keep its contribution rate to 17% whilst maintaining managers’ benefits at 40%. They can afford higher contributions to protect postal workers’ benefits.”