Why are royal mail on strike
Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, has been involved in a series of disputes with its union, the Communication Workers Union (CWU), over issues such as pay, jobs, and working conditions. The latest dispute led to a series of strikes, which began on February 8, 2022, and have continued intermittently since then.
The main reasons for the strike are:
- Pay dispute: Royal Mail is seeking to impose a pay freeze on its workers, which the CWU argues is unfair given the rising cost of living. The union is demanding a 10% pay rise to keep up with inflation.
- Job security: Royal Mail has been undergoing a restructuring process, which has led to concerns about job security among its workforce. The CWU is worried that the company's plans will lead to widespread redundancies and changes to working conditions.
- Working conditions: The union is also concerned about the impact of new technology and changes to working practices on its members. They argue that these changes will lead to increased workload, stress, and pressure on staff.
- Pensions: Royal Mail has proposed changes to its pension scheme, which the CWU believes will affect the retirement benefits of its members.
The CWU has been balloting its members on strike action since last year, and the majority have voted in favor of industrial action. The strikes have been called to pressure Royal Mail to address these issues and to protect the interests of its workers.
The strikes have caused disruptions to postal services across the UK, with some areas experiencing delays and cancellations of mail deliveries. The impact has been particularly felt by small businesses, charities, and individuals who rely on postal services for their daily operations.
Negotiations between Royal Mail and the CWU are ongoing, but so far, no agreement has been reached. The dispute is expected to continue until a resolution is found.