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Royal Mail postal workers to vote in strike ballot | Royal Mail postal workers to vote in strike ballot |
(35 minutes later) | |
Royal Mail workers are to vote on whether to strike over pay and other issues linked to privatisation plans. | |
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said that a vote over future pay, and other aspects of the proposed sell-off, could lead to a strike by 10 October. | |
This will be the first such ballot for Royal Mail workers since 2009. | |
Royal Mail said it was "very disappointed" by the move, and the Department for Business said industrial action was "not necessary". | |
Protection | |
The CWU said that, if current talks with Royal Mail do not lead to an agreement, a ballot for all Royal Mail and Parcelforce workers in the union would be held from 20 September. The result of the ballot would be announced on 3 October. | |
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "We are looking to reach a groundbreaking agreement on terms and conditions that sets unprecedented legally binding protection for workers in the event of a sale, and regardless of who owns the company. | |
"We want Royal Mail and the government to put protections in place that are both meaningful and lasting". | |
Privatisation plans have been in development for a number of years, with legislation in 2011 paving the way for a future sale. | Privatisation plans have been in development for a number of years, with legislation in 2011 paving the way for a future sale. |
In July, Royal Mail proposed a three-year pay agreement for its workforce, including an 8.6% increase in basic pay over three years, which was rejected by the CWU. | In July, Royal Mail proposed a three-year pay agreement for its workforce, including an 8.6% increase in basic pay over three years, which was rejected by the CWU. |
In response to the CWU's announcement, Royal Mail said it was "very disappointed" that the CWU had issued a timeline for a ballot on possible industrial action, and that it believed any strike action would be "uncalled for". |
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