POST OFFICES ACROSS BRITAIN TO CLOSE IN NATIONAL STRIKE FOR “DIGNITY AND RESPECT”

COMMUNICATION WORKERS UNION
27/06/2022
**EMBARGOED UNTIL 16.00 27/06/2022**

POST OFFICES ACROSS BRITAIN TO CLOSE IN NATIONAL STRIKE FOR “DIGNITY AND RESPECT”

Britain’s 114 Crown Post Offices will close for one day in July, as workers strike against a massive real-terms pay cut.

Today (27^th June), the Communication Workers Union (CWU) – which represents Post Office workers – served notice to the employer that strike action will be taking place on Monday 11^th July.

Workers facing a pay freeze for last year voted overwhelmingly to take strike action by 97.3%. 

Additionally, a management pay offer of just 3% with effect from April 1^st 2022 and a £500 lump sum fee has been rejected as being woefully inadequate for what amounts to 2 years.

This is in the context of the RPI inflation rate being 11.7% for May, and despite the fact that the Post Office made £35 million in profits during the pandemic (2020/21).

This is the third national strike by Post Office workers in 2022.

CWU Assistant Secretary Andy Furey said: “No worker wants to be in this situation, but Post Office bosses can’t be surprised that callous decisions are challenged by our members.

“This dispute is about dignity and respect for hard-working employees – essential public servants who, as key workers, provided unprecedented customer service during the pandemic.

“Our members feel betrayed and will not tolerate their living standards being smashed by people in charge of a public service that due to our members’ efforts made tens of millions of pounds in annual profits.

“There is more than enough money for a reasonable pay rise – implementing this pay cut is a management choice, not a necessity.

“Our message to the public is that this action and any inconvenience caused is 100 per cent the fault of the Post Office leadership.

“To Post Office bosses, our message is: get real on pay, get round the bargaining table for meaningful negotiations and settle this dispute, or further action will be taken.”

ENDS

For more information or press requests, please contact CWU Press Officer Marcus Barnett at mbarnett@cwu.orgor 07812590450.