Royal mail strike 2022
The Royal Mail strike in 2022 refers to a series of industrial actions taken by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) against Royal Mail, the UK's postal service provider. The strikes were held in August and September 2022, with the aim of protesting against changes to Royal Mail's pension scheme and other working conditions.
Background: In 2021, Royal Mail announced plans to close its defined benefit pension scheme, which would have affected around 115,000 employees. The CWU argued that this would lead to significant losses for employees and undermine their retirement security. The union also raised concerns about other issues, including job security, workload, and the impact of automation on postal services.
Strike action: The CWU announced a series of strikes, starting on August 26, 2022, with a 48-hour walkout by postal workers. The strikes were followed by a series of one-day strikes, with the most recent one taking place on September 27, 2022.
Impact: The strikes had a significant impact on postal services in the UK, with many mail deliveries delayed or disrupted. The strikes also affected businesses that rely on Royal Mail services, including online retailers and financial institutions.
Negotiations: The CWU and Royal Mail have been engaged in negotiations to resolve the dispute. In August 2022, the two parties reached a tentative agreement on the pension scheme, which would have allowed employees to continue contributing to the defined benefit scheme. However, the agreement was rejected by the CWU's executive committee, citing concerns about other issues, including job security and workload.
Resolution: On September 28, 2022, the CWU and Royal Mail announced a new agreement that would address some of the union's concerns. The agreement includes:
- A commitment to maintain the defined benefit pension scheme for existing employees.
- A review of job security and workload issues.
- An increase in the minimum wage for postal workers.
- Improved working conditions and health and safety measures.
The agreement was ratified by the CWU's executive committee, and the strikes were suspended. However, the dispute has highlighted ongoing concerns about the future of postal services in the UK and the impact of automation on workers' jobs and livelihoods.