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Union sets Royal Mail strike date | Union sets Royal Mail strike date |
(10 minutes later) | |
Royal Mail workers are to hold a 24-hour strike on Friday, 29 June, the main postal union has confirmed. | |
The Communications Workers Union (CWU) blamed the walkout on Royal Mail bosses not taking negotiations seriously, and said further strikes could follow. | The Communications Workers Union (CWU) blamed the walkout on Royal Mail bosses not taking negotiations seriously, and said further strikes could follow. |
Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier said the organisation was "very disappointed" and would do all it could to limit the impact of the walkout. | Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier said the organisation was "very disappointed" and would do all it could to limit the impact of the walkout. |
The dispute is over pay and the union's fears of potential job cuts. | The dispute is over pay and the union's fears of potential job cuts. |
The strike will be the first nationwide walkout at the Royal Mail since 1996. | The strike will be the first nationwide walkout at the Royal Mail since 1996. |
Both sides have said they would welcome additional talks. | Both sides have said they would welcome additional talks. |
'Refusing to negotiate' | 'Refusing to negotiate' |
"We've tried our hardest to reach a negotiated settlement with the company, but the truth is again that Royal Mail are refusing to negotiate whatsoever on reaching a settlement before strike action takes place," said CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward. | "We've tried our hardest to reach a negotiated settlement with the company, but the truth is again that Royal Mail are refusing to negotiate whatsoever on reaching a settlement before strike action takes place," said CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward. |
"We have also agreed further strike action within two weeks from 29 June that is designed to maximise the impact on Royal Mail but at minimum cost to the CWU members." | "We have also agreed further strike action within two weeks from 29 June that is designed to maximise the impact on Royal Mail but at minimum cost to the CWU members." |
Mr Ward added that the strike would include Post Office workers as well as Royal Mail delivery staff. | Mr Ward added that the strike would include Post Office workers as well as Royal Mail delivery staff. |
In addition to turning down the Royal Mail's 2.5% pay offer, the CWU fears the Royal Mail's ongoing restructuring plans will cause up to 40,000 job cuts. | In addition to turning down the Royal Mail's 2.5% pay offer, the CWU fears the Royal Mail's ongoing restructuring plans will cause up to 40,000 job cuts. |
'Losing business' | |
The Royal Mail counters that it cannot afford to offer any more money and needs to make itself more efficient. | The Royal Mail counters that it cannot afford to offer any more money and needs to make itself more efficient. |
"We are losing business because we have failed to change and modernise - and as a result, our costs and therefore our prices are higher than those that rivals are charging in the intensely competitive business mail market, which makes up 90% of all postings," said Mr Crozier. | |
"That's the issue everyone in Royal Mail has to face and why we are so ready to continue talking with the union about the need to modernise." | "That's the issue everyone in Royal Mail has to face and why we are so ready to continue talking with the union about the need to modernise." |
CWU members at the Royal Mail voted for the strike action with a majority of 77% on a turnout of 60%. | CWU members at the Royal Mail voted for the strike action with a majority of 77% on a turnout of 60%. |