Highland Royal Mail Group workers out on strike calling for a 'dignified, proper pay rise'
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Royal Mail Group staff in the Highlands are among 115,000 workers staging what has been called the biggest strike of the summer for a “dignified, proper pay rise”.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) – which represents Royal Mail staff – started what it said would be a series of national strikes earlier today.
It is the fourth wave of industrial action – after Scotrail, RMT, and council staff walkouts – to hit the region this summer.
If no agreement is reached then the CWU promises further strike action on Wednesday August 31, Thursday September 8 and Friday September 9.
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Pickets
Staff are believed to have staged pickets at nine locations across the region including at least two in Inverness.
The union claimed there were pickets at Ardgour, Beauly, Dingwall, Drumnadrochit, Fortrose, Invergordon, Tain. Spean Bridge, and Fort William
The union is demanding that Royal Mail Group make an adequate pay award that covers the current cost of living increases for our members.
The CWU says management imposed a two per cent pay rise on employees, who were classed as key workers throughout the pandemic, through executive action.
Bosses have 'lost the dressing room'
CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: “On Friday, we will see a tremendous outpouring of workers’ unity in villages, towns and cities across the country.
“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.”
He added: “Royal Mail’s leadership have lost the dressing room – and unless they make efforts to get real on discussing a pay rise that postal workers deserve, serious disruption will continue.”
What the Royal Mail Group are saying
A statement from the Royal Mail Group claimed “The CWU strike thrusts Royal Mail into the most uncertain time of its 500-year history. It is putting jobs at risk and making pay rises less affordable.”
It added: “We apologise to our customers, and the public for the inconvenience the CWU’s strike action will cause. We have offered to meet the CWU numerous times in recent weeks, but they declined each invitation, preferring to spend their time on the political agenda of the UK trade union movement.
“We remain ready to talk with the CWU to try and avert damaging industrial action and prevent significant inconvenience for customers. But any talks must be about both change and pay.
“We have contingency plans to minimise customer disruption and will work to keep people, businesses and the country connected.”
CWU response
In a furious rebuttal, the union said: “Royal Mail Group are falsely claiming the CWU are unwilling to meet them. We have met them on dozens of occasions. It is clear the negotiators in the room do not have the authority to reach an agreement.
“It is on this basis that the CWU has called for a summit meeting with the Chair and CEO of Royal Mail Group and the General Secretary and Deputy General Secretary (Postal) of the CWU. Royal Mail have refused this meeting.
“Royal Mail claim this is because the chair is not involved in the day to day running of the company. This is in direct contradiction to the fact the chair is one of the signatories of our most recent national agreement, spoke at the Royal Mail AGM and has been undertaking multiple media interviews.”
