Royal Mail workers cancel strikes after the Queen’s death

Workers at Royal Mail have called off strike action today following the Queen’s death.

Postal workers were due to continue a 48-hour walkout on Friday in an ongoing dispute over pay, but cancelled "out of respect for her service to the country and her family".

Queen Elizabeth died on Thursday afternoon at Balmoral in Scotland aged 96.

Staff in the Communication Workers Union (CWU) walked out on Thursday but suspended planned strike action for today following the news.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: "Following the very sad news of the passing of the Queen, and out of respect for her service to the country and her family, the union has decided to call off tomorrow’s planned strike action."

The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union also postponed their planned walkouts on 15 and 17 September.

General secretary Mick Lynch said: “RMT joins the whole nation in paying its respects to Queen Elizabeth.

“The planned railway strike action on September 15 and 17 is suspended.

“We express our deepest condolences to her family, friends and the country.”

The RMT have been locked in a long-running dispute with the government over pay and conditions for a number of months.

The CWU, which represents 115,000 Royal Mail postal workers, are also in a worsening dispute with the group over pay and conditions.

Earlier this year, The Royal Mail Group “imposed” a 2 per cent pay rise on their employees through executive action.

According to the union, the pay rise is inadequate in the face of rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: "There can be no doubt that postal workers are completely united in their determination to secure the dignified, proper pay rise they deserve.
 
"We can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks."
 
Royal Mail said an offer of up to a 5.5 per cent rise was rejected by the union.