Maelstrom in Royal Mail

WORKERS SOLIDARITY

Royal Mail workers have voted in favour of strike action in a row over pensions and pay.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said 73.7% of its 110,000 members cast their votes, with 89% backing a strike.

It is the first major vote since the introduction of the Trade Union Act, which requires strike votes to have a 50% turnout.

The CWU postal executive will meet later this week to determine any potential strike dates.

The strike action is in response to the Royal Mail's intention to close its current defined benefit occupational pension scheme in March 2018. The pension fund is currently in surplus.

The CWU said that the vote was "was sparked by the company's attack on the pension rights of hard-working postmen and women and the refusal of the employer to engage seriously over pay, working hours, future job security and the need to improve and grow the service to the public".

Terry Pullinger, the CWU's deputy general secretary, postal, said: "This ballot result is hugely significant and demonstrates a strength of feeling that can only be translated as a massive vote of no confidence in the managerial leadership of the Royal Mail Group and the direction that they advocate".

Dave Ward, the CWU general secretary, said: “This is an important moment and we can go forward into any action knowing we have secured the numbers required. We have seen an unprecedented response from our members, and we are taking a lot of confidence from this result. Our members are under attack. They are being asked to work faster, harder and cheaper while losing benefits. This has nothing to do with driving growth and innovation. It is all about a lack of forward thinking and asset stripping.”