London 26 August : Over 100,000 postal workers in Britain will strike on Friday in dispute over their wages, in what is being described as the “summer’s largest strike”.The Communication Workers Union (CWU) stated that the members of the union are taking industrial action to get an “dignified proper, fair pay rise” after they have voted in favor by 97.6 percent in an election, according to the news agency dpa.
The Friday strike will be followed by more stops on August 31 as well as September 8-9.
The union claimed management had imposed a 2 percent pay increase on employees, but they were classified as essential workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In an environment of economic uncertainty, where inflation is predicted to rise to 18 percent by the end of January 2023, this levy will result in a drastic decrease in the standard of living for workers,” said a union spokesperson.
CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: “On Friday, we will witness an incredible celebration of workers’ solidarity in towns, villages and towns across the nation.
“There is certain that postal workers are unison in their resolve to receive the respectable, fair pay raise they deserve.
“We cannot continue to live in the country where bosses make in billions in profits and their workers are required to rely on food banks.”
Royal Mail said it has “well-developed contingency plans” to reduce disruption.They are focused on returning mail delivery to normal as fast as possible following a strike.
The public is advised to put their items up as early as is possible in the lead of the dates of the strike.
The union announced that it would be the largest strike of the summer, following the walkouts by workers in other industries, including telecoms, rail, and the legal profession.
