CWU re-ballots for new strikes next month

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by Keith Richmond

The Communication Workers’ Union is re-balloting a number of areas in London before announcing another round of 24-hour strikes next month in its dispute over jobs and cuts. Royal Mail challenged the ballot arrangements at depots such as Mount Pleasant and Nine Elms but such is the anger of postal workers that union leaders are confident they will get a further mandate for industrial action. Postal workers went on strike in Scotland – in Edinburgh, Alloa, Grangemouth, Irvine, Cowdenbeath, Dunfermline, Broxburn and Bathgate – as well as in London last week.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: “Royal Mail has broken the 2007 agreement which committed the company to negotiating modernisation with the CWU. We are now seeing cuts but not modernisation and there’s only so long before this has a major impact on services. Many rural services in Scotland will be put under threat unless a plan can be secured for the future of Royal Mail.”

The CWU is calling for talks but says there has, as yet, been no movement by Royal Mail. Mr Ward said: “We are offering Royal Mail and the government a three month no-strike deal if they fulfil the agreement to engage with the CWU over modernisation and move to get the company on a sound footing for the future.”