Forres postal workers re-join national strike action by Communication Workers Union calling for improved pay and conditions from Royal Mail
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A LOCAL postie is asking for the public's continued support as this month's postal strikes start on today (Friday, December 9).
Forres Delivery Office picket line supervisor, David MacDonald, one of 115,000 Royal Mail postal workers affected across the UK, confirmed, having been on strike during 10 days so far, the December dates are on the 9th, 14th, 15th, 23rd and 24th.
He said: "We are very sorry for any inconvenience but we need to stand up and save our jobs ... And especially the 500-year-old business we all love."
Royal Mail is striking as part of a long-running dispute over jobs, pay and conditions. Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have held a series of walkouts in recent months, which Royal Mail claims have cost it £100million.
Workers most recently walked out on November 25 - Black Friday - and also on Wednesday, November 30 and Thursday, December 1.
Royal Mail does not deliver letters or parcels on strike days, except those sent by special delivery. Items posted in post boxes or post offices the day before, during or following strike dates are likely to be subject to delays.
David said: "When we strike it has a big effect on the days to follow as we are so busy at this time of year.
"It's hard to catch up and, with no pay, we would rather be working under a fair deal for all."
Last month, Royal Mail CEO Simon Thompson received a vote of no confidence from postal workers.
The CWU has also rejected a new deal offered by Royal Mail which offered a seven per cent two-year pay offer - a real-terms pay cut - and changes including introducing Uber-style owner-drivers, mail centre closures and alterations to Sunday working.
The union claims the deal would: turn Royal Mail into a gig economy-style parcel courier, reliant on casual labour: induce thousands of compulsory redundancies; see the CWU removed from the workplace and transformed into a company union; result in later starting and finishing hours; cut sick pay; and remove Sunday premium pay.
"It’s not just about pay," said David. "It's also about terms and conditions that the CEO and Royal Mail want to change. We have no choice but to strike as they are showing no respect to us.
"Their offer involves no job security- the deal is a shocker!"
Instead, the CWU is demanding: an 18-month pay deal including back pay for all workers; a guarantee of no compulsory redundancies; restoration of previously agreed processes for voluntary redundancies; a joint review of all agreements and the relationship between the CWU and Royal Mail; re-establishing the right of CWU representatives to be fully involved and able to negotiate on local revisions; and an alternative business strategy that would see Royal Mail Group use its competitive advantage to grow.
