Postal workers

A ballot by the postal workers’ CWU union last month in the wake of the government’s flotation of the Royal Mail saw members voting 78% in favour of action on a ballot turnout of 63%.

The CWU has emphasised that the privatisation of Royal Mail will threaten jobs, pay and terms and conditions.

The union said that it would allow two weeks to try to reach agreement, but set an initial strike date of 4 November. This will be an all-out, one-day strike and further action was being considered.

Royal Mail workers were offered free shares worth around £2,000 each. But CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said: “Postal workers have spoken very clearly that they care about their jobs, terms and conditions far more than they care about shares.”

Another ballot is to be held on the issue of boycotting competitors’ mail. Ward said: “The stakes have become much higher for postal workers since privatisation making this ballot more important than ever.”

www.cwu.org/royal-mail-strike-ballot-vote-yes.html