Post Office workers return another massive 90%+ strike vote

November 18 2022

 

‘Reballot’ of POL members shows determination to win a fair deal remains as strong as ever…

Our Post Office members will once again be taking strike action at Crown Offices, Admin and Cash Centres & Supply Chain depots unless bosses sit down with the CWU and negotiate a fair pay deal, warned the union’s acting DGSP Andy Furey, after the workforce voted by a 91.24 per cent majority for further strikes.

The ‘reballot’ had been called in accordance with the law, under which industrial action ballots ‘expire’ after six months – the first ballot of Post Office workers having taken place back in March. Six days of strikes had taken place under the original mandate, with the most recent on 28th September.

Around 1,400 workers have been in dispute with the Post Office over pay, which was frozen for the 2021/22 period and although an offer was made for 2022/23, it has been rejected by staff as being inadequate, the 5 per cent on the table falling well below current inflation levels which have risen over 14 per cent (RPI). This despite the organisation posting profits of £74 million over the past two financial years.

Reacting to the ballot result, Andy Furey thanked members for their continued support and said: “I will be writing to Nick Read, CEO, seeking an urgent meeting with the aim of putting in place talks to reach an agreement. It’s time for Mr Read to listen to his workforce and act accordingly by entering negotiations aimed at reaching a decent settlement to this dispute.”

While continuing to make every effort at achieving a resolution through negotiation, Andy also reminded the Post Office that, if no progress is made, industrial action will resume, saying: “We’re convening a special meeting of our Postal Executive next week to consider next steps in respect of future action. Everybody knows there’s more than enough money for a reasonable pay rise and it’s time for those at the top of the Post Office to show real respect for dedicated public servants who, as key workers, provided unprecedented customer service during the pandemic.

“The determination of these people – whose efforts generated millions of pounds in profit – hasn’t swayed, and they won’t accept their living standards being smashed.

“We urge management to see sense, get into real negotiations and cut a fair deal to avert strikes.”

  • The ballot also returned a very large majority for ‘action short of a strike’, which means that there could be a variety of industrial action tactics by the union going forward.