Communication workers union royal mail

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is the largest trade union in the UK's postal industry, representing over 110,000 members, including postal workers, delivery drivers, and administrative staff at Royal Mail and Parcelforce.

The CWU has a long history of negotiating with Royal Mail on behalf of its members, and has played a key role in shaping the company's policies and practices. Here are some key facts about the CWU's relationship with Royal Mail:

  1. Collective Bargaining: The CWU negotiates collective agreements with Royal Mail on issues such as pay, pensions, working conditions, and job security. These agreements cover all CWU members employed by Royal Mail.
  2. Pay and Conditions: The CWU has negotiated several pay deals with Royal Mail in recent years, including a 2% pay rise in 2020 and a 1% pay rise in 2021. The union has also secured improvements to working conditions, such as increased sick pay and enhanced maternity leave.
  3. Job Security: The CWU has fought to protect job security at Royal Mail, including opposing compulsory redundancies and advocating for the retention of postal services in rural areas.
  4. Pensions: The CWU has negotiated pension schemes with Royal Mail, including the Royal Mail Pension Scheme, which provides a guaranteed income to members in retirement.
  5. Industrial Action: In the past, the CWU has taken industrial action, including strikes and work-to-rule actions, to protect its members' interests and to negotiate better deals with Royal Mail. For example, in 2018, the union took strike action over proposed changes to Royal Mail's pension scheme.
  6. Partnership: The CWU has a partnership agreement with Royal Mail, which aims to improve communication and collaboration between the union and the company. The partnership covers issues such as employee engagement, training, and diversity and inclusion.
  7. Representation: The CWU has a strong presence at Royal Mail, with elected representatives at all levels of the company, including branch secretaries, stewards, and national officers. These representatives provide support and guidance to members and help to resolve disputes and grievances.

Overall, the CWU plays a vital role in representing the interests of postal workers at Royal Mail and in shaping the company's policies and practices.