In what may be the start of a wave of public sector strikes in the coming months as essential workers continue to battle with the cost-of-living issue, more than 115,000 Royal Mail employees today voted in favor of a nationwide strike.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents employees of the Royal Mail Group, received 97.6 percent of the vote in a ballot that was revealed today, with 77 percent of the electorate participating.
In order to obtain “a straight, no-strings pay raise for workers,” the union is requesting that the Royal Mail Group come into negotiations.
In an effort to prevent strikes by employees who provide essential services, Whitehall sources confirmed last night that pay review panels covering physicians, nurses, military, police, and a number of other professions will recommend settlements of three to five percent.
However, this is far less than the 16 percent that nurses are asking for, according to the Royal College of Nursing, and significantly less than the anticipated rate of inflation, which is predicted to reach a peak of 11% this autumn.
The measures put ministers in conflict with the major public sector unions, who have threatened to take industrial action this fall.
CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said today: ‘This stunning result is a testament to the phenomenal efforts made by CWU members across the country.
‘It is also a vote of no confidence in Royal Mail’s CEO and board, who should seriously consider their futures in our industry.
‘Crucially, the vote can leave no doubt that postal workers are united, and that they are demanding the proper pay rise they deserve.
‘While bosses rake in £758 million in profit and shareholders take £400 million, workers are expected to take a serious real-terms pay cut.
‘Postal workers won’t accept their living standards being hammered by bosses who are typical of business leaders today – overpaid, underqualified, out of their depth.
‘In our country right now, corporate failure gets rewarded over and over again.
‘It’s pathetic that CEOs take home lottery win salaries then offer real-terms pay cuts to people who made them their profit.
‘It’s unacceptable that bosses use Swiss banks while workers use food banks.
‘The CWU’s message to Royal Mail’s leadership is loud and clear – not a single postal worker in this country will budge until you get serious and give them a dignified, proper pay rise.’
CWU Deputy General Secretary Terry Pullinger said: ‘Today’s vote was a terrific demonstration of the power and unity of CWU members.
‘It shows that our members know full well what they are worth, and that they are willing to fight for the no strings, real-terms pay rise they’re entitled to.
‘This union never wanted to be in this position. Since the beginning of this dispute, we wanted discussions and negotiations with management.
‘But this was rejected by management, who have left us with no choice but to fight their disgraceful imposition.
‘This was a miscalculation on their part, and there were never going to be any question of our members accepting this assault on them.
‘Our members deserve a pay rise that rewards their fantastic achievements in keeping the country connected during the pandemic, but also helps them keep up during this current economic crisis.
‘We won’t be backing down until we get just that.’
More to follow…