Leaked letter hints at further postal strikes

Published on Saturday 28 November 2009 19:11

FRESH postal strikes could be launched over Christmas, it emerged yesterday, after a leaked letter sent to members of the Communication Workers Union warned of further possible action.

Such strikes could result in even greater chaos for the postal service during the busy festive season, when 120 million letters and parcels are sent every day.

The new letter was said to reveal that if Royal Mail management show no signs of meeting the union's demands, CWU leaders say they "will have no alternative other than to return to strike action before Christmas".

A truce struck between the CWU and Royal Mail earlier this month promised that postal workers would continue to work as normal during the Christmas period. But the new letter, which is signed by general secretary Billy Hayes and deputy Dave Ward, suggest postal workers will man picket lines again if Royal Mail does not begin to make concessions.

The strike action was launched in response to the Royal Mail's modernisation plans. While the CWU has accepted the need for job losses, it has been angered over the lack of commitment from Royal Mail over how many jobs would be saved and the terms and conditions for remaining staff.

Earlier this month, further strikes were called off after an agreement was brokered by the Trades Union Congress. At the time, TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: "The delivery of the terms of this agreement means that Royal Mail services will be free of any disruption up to and through the Christmas period. That's what Royal Mail wants and that's what the (union] wants and that's what both parties are committed to."

The previous action started with rolling local strikes over the summer, leading to national walk-outs in October. While further strikes were planned for November, these were called off when the deal was struck.

A CWU spokesman said: "Our ballots remain live. Negotiations continue and everything else is speculation." A Royal Mail spokesman said the company remained "absolutely committed" to talks with the union.

Meanwhile the Royal Mail's target for delivering letters on time was hit by the strikes.

The quality of service performance for first-class mail dipped 2.3 per cent below the 93 per cent next-day delivery target in the second quarter of 2009-10.