Post workers back strike action

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

About 130,000 members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will take action later this month unless fresh talks lead to a breakthrough in the deadlocked dispute.

The workers rejected a 2.5% pay offer by 3-1 after officials warned that staff had had enough of attacks on their pay and cuts to services, including the closure of post offices.

The Government said a strike would damage the industry, while the Royal Mail warned it could not afford to improve its offer.

The union, which is demanding that postal workers' pay should rise to the national average over the next five years, said workers had sent a "powerful" message to bosses. Royal Mail said the demands amounted to a 27% pay rise.

CWU held three ballots, covering 127,000 Royal Mail workers and two separate groups of employees involved in pay and jobs disputes, which all produced big majorities for strikes.

A total of 66,000 Royal Mail workers voted for industrial action, with 19,000 against, while Post Office staff backed action by 2,740 to 993 in protest at closures, pay and moving post offices inside WH Smith stores. Royal Mail cash handlers, who deliver money to branches, also voted to strike.

A company spokesman said: "The result of the ballot will not change the absolute need for Royal Mail to modernise, which is in the interests of everyone in the company.

"Mail volumes have already fallen and more people are using electronic communications. Royal Mail has to become a modern, efficient business to ensure we compete effectively in a mail market where rivals are already 40% more efficient and will this year be handling one letter in five posted."

Royal Mail said it had made a "realistic and fair" offer comprising a 2.5% increase in basic pensionable pay, plus an £800 dividend from its ColleagueShares scheme and a 50% share in any savings above budget in an employee's local unit. The Royal Mail said the union's claim would cost Royal Mail £1 billion.