Royal Mail workers to strike

Submitted by Gemma_S on 10 October, 2017 - 11:33 Author: Gemma Short

Workers at Royal Mail have voted by 89.1% for strikes.

The dispute has four main demands: an end to the two-tier pension system, and for a decent pension for all; a shorter full-time working week of 35 hours with no loss of pay to mitigate the effects of automation on work; union agreements extended past 2018; no two-tiered workforce in order to achieve Royal Mail′s plan to have 9-5 delivery; a decent pay rise and no introduction of future pay awards linked to the company′s success and efficiency savings that year.

Royal Mail made £712 million in operating profit alone in the last year alone, and has been making year-on-year payouts to its shareholders, but are only offering workers a £250 lump sum pay increase. Royal Mail can afford to pay its workers a better wage.

The ballot reached a huge 73.7% turnout, more than beating the thresholds imposed by the Trade Union Act. This is the first national ballot of it’s kind after the Trade Union Act, and will boost confidence for others considering national strikes.

The union mobilised its grassroots members to win the ballot, with members gathering in workplaces to post their ballots together and take solidarity photos.

Strikes had not been announced when Solidarity went to press.

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