Why do royal mail go on strike

Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, has gone on strike several times in recent years due to various reasons. Here are some of the main causes:

  1. Pension dispute: In 2018, Royal Mail workers went on strike over a dispute about their pension scheme. The company wanted to close the defined benefit pension scheme and replace it with a defined contribution scheme, which would have reduced the guaranteed pension income for employees.
  2. Job security and restructuring: Royal Mail has been undergoing significant restructuring efforts, including the closure of some offices and the reduction of staff numbers. This has led to concerns about job security among employees, who have been demanding better protection against redundancies.
  3. Pay and conditions: Royal Mail workers have been seeking better pay and conditions, including higher wages, improved working conditions, and more flexible working arrangements. The company has been slow to respond to these demands, leading to industrial action.
  4. Parcelforce dispute: In 2020, Royal Mail's parcel delivery arm, Parcelforce, was involved in a dispute over pay and conditions. The company wanted to introduce new working practices and reduce overtime pay, which led to a strike by Parcelforce workers.
  5. Brexit and trade uncertainty: The uncertainty surrounding the UK's departure from the EU (Brexit) has created concerns about the future of the postal industry. Royal Mail workers have been seeking greater clarity on the impact of Brexit on their jobs and the industry as a whole.
  6. Competition and market changes: The postal industry is facing significant competition from private companies, such as courier services like DHL and UPS. Royal Mail workers have been concerned about the impact of this competition on their jobs and the industry's future.
  7. Government policies: Royal Mail has been critical of government policies, such as the introduction of a Universal Service Obligation (USO), which requires the company to provide a minimum level of postal services across the UK. Royal Mail has argued that the USO is too costly and restricts its ability to innovate and compete.

These are some of the main reasons why Royal Mail workers have gone on strike in recent years. The strikes have caused disruptions to postal services and have had significant impacts on the economy and society.