Royal Mail pay offer is too low, says union

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) reacted angrily to the Royal Mail’s offer of a “derisory” 7% salary increase over two years, as well as a lump sum payment worth 2% of pay this year.

The union have warned of further strike action against “the dismantling of a 500-year-old service”.

Members of the union have been in a long-running bitter dispute with the Royal Mail over pay and conditions.

The dispute is centred around pay amid the rising impact of the cost-of-living crisis and conditions, including the modernisation of the company.

On Monday, Royal Mail said the offer includes changes to Sunday working, start times and flexible working, so the company can "re-invent and compete in the growing parcels market".

Royal Mail said the offer was subject to the CWU agreeing to a programme of changes to working patterns and more flexible working.

The CWU’s statement says the offer is well below projected inflation for both years and reaffirms the company’s whole approach of “imposing change rather than negotiating it”.

“Not only is the offer not applicable to Parcelforce and fleet employees, but the company have confirmed that as of tomorrow, new entrants will be brought in on lower terms, and will be introducing owner-drivers into Royal Mail – a service that will be comparable to Uber,” it said.

Royal Mail’s chief executive, Simon Thompson, said on Monday: “Royal Mail made a loss of £219m in the first half of the year.

“This once again demonstrates that the need for change at Royal Mail is urgent.”

A Communication Workers Union spokesperson said: “These proposals are about dismantling a 500-year-old service and destroying the lives of those who serve it.

“Make no mistake –Royal Mail bosses have just declared war on your postie.”

It comes a day after the CWU called off a series of strikes over the next two weeks, after a legal challenge by Royal Mail.

Strikes had been planned to take place 6 days between the 2^nd and the 10^th November. The CWU said that  strikes will resume on Saturday 12 November.

In September, the CWU said industrial action in the run up to Christmas will have a “dramatic impact”, the union said, and will also cover Black Friday on 25 November and Cyber Monday on 28 November, both peak mail periods.

Strikes will be a mixture of single days and rolling action across Royal Mail Group’s network.