Royal mail.postal strikes

The Royal Mail postal strikes! A contentious issue that has been ongoing for several years, with multiple strikes and disputes between the Royal Mail management and the Communication Workers Union (CWU). Here's a brief summary:

Background:

The Royal Mail is a publicly-owned company that provides postal services in the United Kingdom. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) represents the majority of Royal Mail's workforce, including postal workers, delivery drivers, and office staff.

Dispute:

The dispute began in 2017 when the Royal Mail announced plans to privatize its pension scheme, which would have affected the retirement benefits of its employees. The CWU opposed the changes, arguing that they would lead to reduced pension pots and increased costs for employees.

Strike action:

In response to the dispute, the CWU called several strikes, including:

  1. 2017: A 48-hour strike in August, followed by a 24-hour strike in September.
  2. 2018: A 48-hour strike in October, followed by a 24-hour strike in November.
  3. 2019: A 48-hour strike in August, followed by a 24-hour strike in September.
  4. 2020: A 48-hour strike in October, followed by a 24-hour strike in November.

Reasons for strikes:

The CWU has cited several reasons for the strikes, including:

  1. Pension dispute: The union wants to protect the pension scheme and ensure that employees' retirement benefits are not reduced.
  2. Job security: The union is concerned about job losses and the impact of automation on the workforce.
  3. Working conditions: The union wants to improve working conditions, including reducing workload and improving health and safety.
  4. Pay: The union is seeking a pay increase for its members.

Impact on services:

The strikes have resulted in significant disruptions to Royal Mail's services, including:

  1. Delays: Mail and parcels have been delayed or not delivered at all.
  2. Disruption to online shopping: Online retailers have been affected, as packages have not been delivered on time.
  3. Impact on businesses: Small businesses and entrepreneurs have been particularly affected, as they rely on timely delivery of goods and services.

Resolution:

The dispute is ongoing, and the CWU and Royal Mail are still negotiating. In 2020, the two parties agreed to a new pay deal, which included a 2% pay increase and a commitment to protect jobs. However, the union has stated that the dispute is not yet resolved and that further action may be taken if necessary.

Conclusion:

The Royal Mail postal strikes have been a contentious issue for several years, with both sides refusing to budge. The dispute has had significant impacts on the postal service, online shopping, and businesses. The outcome of the dispute remains uncertain, and it is likely that further negotiations and potential strikes will be necessary to resolve the issue.