Plymouth postal workers to go on strike

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POSTAL workers in Plymouth are to go on strike next week in their battle to stop Royal Mail cutting jobs.

Around 110 staff from the Plymouth Mail Centre in Plymstock will walk out next Friday.

They will join colleagues from more than 200 centres around the country in a national day of action on July 17 which will combine industrial action and demonstrations.

Chris Webb, divisional representative for the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) said the action next Friday could escalate if Royal Mail managers did not return to the negotiating table.

"They are proposing a ten per cent cut in headcount year on year, which will leave many post offices unable to cope," Mr Webb said.

"With the recession, people are fearful for their jobs.

"Royal Mail announced record profits last month, and they announced managerial bonuses of £2,000 to £9,000.

The Communication Workers Union accuses Royal Mail of reducing the pay of employees and implementing other cuts which it said was affecting services.

Deputy general secretary Dave Ward accused the company of failing to take up an offer of a three-month moratorium on industrial action so that talks on modernisation could be held.

"It's now clear that Royal Mail management is the biggest block to modernisation. When presented with the best deal we – or any other union – can offer, which is for three months of no industrial action and focused negotiation on modernisation, they refuse.

"Management seem to be sulking because the prospect of privatisation and increased executive pay has disappeared."

Next week's strike in Plymouth follows three days of action in London.

"Royal Mail and the Government cannot ignore this situation which is growing worse every day," Mr Ward said. "We need to return to the agreement and negotiate change now."

A company spokesman said: "Royal Mail again urges the union to call off the strikes and to rejoin the dialogue to which both the union and Royal Mail signed up as part of the 2007 agreement."