ROYAL MAIL could be facing national industrial action over “ruinous” plans to axe more than 500 managerial jobs, Unite said today.

The union warned of “letter and parcel delivery chaos” as it announced that about 2,400 staff in more than 1,000 workplaces will be balloted for strikes and action short of a strike.

The vote, set to run between June 6 and 29, comes after bosses at the privatised company cut 450 jobs and refused to withdraw a threat to slash a further 542 positions as well as undermine existing pay arrangements, Unite said.

Workers are also being “rewarded” for their sacrifices during the Covid-19 pandemic with an increased workload, “unreasonable” relocations and barriers to further career progression, the union charged.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Our members are the backbone of the Royal Mail, holding the service together while the shareholders seize the profits.

“There is no need whatsoever for these cuts or this ill-thought-out redeployment programme.”

A spokesperson for the company said that it is disappointed by the news of the ballot, saying: “We committed to protect pay for all managers and the vast majority will see an increase in their earnings.”