11/05/2007

Postal Strike vote ballot goes ahead

Postal workers are to be balloted over strike action in a dispute over pay and conditions.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) rejected a 2.5% pay offer described by the Royal Mail as its "full and final offer".

The CWU claim that Royal Mail’s business plan would result in 40,000 job losses, attack pension arrangements, see the closure of some offices and effect a cut in pay for postal workers.

According to the CWU, last year Royal Mail agreed a joint approach to deal with the impact of competition and automation with the union. The centre piece of the agreement was Royal Mail’s commitment to negotiate change, whilst focusing on higher basic pay and permanently raising the value and status of jobs by April 2007.

CWU Deputy General Secretary Postal, Dave Ward said: “Royal Mail has abandoned our agreed approach in favour of a short sighted business plan that amounts to a cost cutting frenzy, reductions in pay and a defeatist attitude towards competition.

"This Business Plan is designed to fail and demonstrates a real lack of vision by the people running the company."

The union is balloting its members over industrial action. The results are expected to be known by June 7.

(SP)

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