Postal workers join strikes over modernisation plans

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Postal workers join nationwide strike over modernisation plans

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By Sundari Sankar
Postal workers in Leamington were among thousands across the country to take part in a strike last Friday.
Around 15 Royal Mail employees and members of the Communications Workers Union picketed outside the sorting office in Priory Terrace from 5.30am.

The action caused disruption to normal deliveries but special deliveries, tracked services and postal collections were processed by managers.

Industrial action - called because of a dispute over changes to working conditions – also took place at post offices across the country.

Mick Kavannagh is chairman of the union's Coventry and Warwickshire branch, which has around 150 members.

He said: "We had 100 per cent support from our members in Leamington because they understand what this is all about.

"There are no plans at the moment for further action, but we are taking advice on where we go next.

"Talks are going on nationally, so we will see what happens. We have to keep going until we negotiate a solution."

Speaking ahead of the strikes, the union's deputy general secretary Dave Ward said: "There are serious and growing problems in the postal sector which urgently need resolving.

"We have renewed our offer of a three-month no-strike deal to Royal Mail in return for meaningful talks over modernisation.

"The current cuts, bullying managers and ever increasing workloads on a shrinking workforce cannot continue.

"Pressure and stress is at breaking point for postal workers so we urgently need a fresh start for a modern Royal Mail."