Skip to main content

Posties secure national agreement with Royal Mail

POSTAL workers won a landmark deal today, securing their pay and job security for the next two years.

The agreement, negotiated with Royal Mail by the Communications Workers Union (CWU) gives 162,000 “posties” a pay increase backdated to April, and cuts their working hours.

It came following a long-running dispute with the privatised business, which provoked a 98.4 per cent vote for strike action in April after it sought to impose worsened working conditions.

The agreement includes a 3.7 per cent pay rise, a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies and a one-hour reduction in the working week.

The CWU said that its value was equivalent to a 6.5 per cent pay increase over two years.

General secretary Dave Ward said: “This is a landmark agreement that means that even in these incredibly difficult times, when members stand in solidarity with their union, it is entirely possible to plan a future that can still benefit workers, customers and the company.

“Make no mistake — the agreement has also been made possible because of the fantastic efforts of postal workers, who as key workers have kept the country connected and met customer and social needs throughout the pandemic.”

The past 10 months of the coronavirus crisis have emphasised the unique and vital role that postal workers play in the communities they serve, particularly for vulnerable and elderly people.

CWU deputy general secretary Terry Pullinger said: “When no-one else gets through, postal workers always deliver, and this agreement will now expand and enshrine that most important social role and afford postal workers much-deserved employment, standard of living and retirement security.”

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today