Caithness to be affected by planned strike action by over 115,000 UK postal workers
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POSTAL workers in Caithness are set to join around 115,000 colleagues throughout the UK in strike action over pay.
They are due to take part in "the biggest strike of the summer so far" in a bid to get what the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents Royal Mail Group workers, says is "a dignified, proper pay rise”. The strikes are due to be held on Friday, August 26, Wednesday August 31, Thursday, September 8 and Friday, September 9.
The decision follows the union’s recent ballot for strike action, which saw members vote by 97.6 per cent on a 77 per cent turnout to take action – the biggest mandate since the implementation of the 2016 Trade Union Act.
The union wants a pay award which covers the current cost of living increases but says Royal Mail Group management has imposed a two per cent increase for employees who were given key worker status at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With inflation soaring to 11.7 percent, that would lead to a big reduction in workers’ living standards, says the union.
CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: "Nobody takes the decision to strike lightly, but postal workers are being pushed to the brink.
“There can be no doubt that postal workers are completely united in their determination to secure the dignified, proper pay rise they deserve.
“We can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks.
“When Royal Mail bosses are raking in £758 million in profit and shareholders pocketing in excess of £400 million, our members won’t accept pleas of poverty from the company.
“Postal workers won’t meekly accept their living standards being hammered by greedy business leaders who are completely out of touch with modern Britain. The CWU’s message to Royal Mail’s leadership is simple – there will be serious disruption until you get real on pay."
CWU deputy general secretary, Terry Pullinger, said: "Our members worked miracles during the pandemic and know full well what they are worth. The pay offer is an insult to our members and they are willing to fight for a no strings, real-terms pay rise that they are fully entitled to.
"Those managing Royal Mail Group are treating our members with contempt by imposing such a minimal amount.
"Royal Mail Group have failed to recognise the strength of feeling and have clearly lost the dressing room on pay, so they have left us with no choice but to fight.
"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."
