Postal workers go on strike in Preston: why are Royal Mail on strike and for how long?

What is happening in Preston?

On Wednesday, December 14, members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) held a picket line outside Royal Mail’s Preston Central Delivery Office at the Christian Road Depot.

Alonside Royal Mail workers across the country, they have started a fresh 48-hour strike in an increasingly bitter dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. The two sides have held talks in recent weeks but the row remains deadlocked.

Due to strike action, Royal Mail has brought forward the final posting dates for Christmas cards to Monday, December 19.

What do the Royal Mail workers say?

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “Royal Mail bosses are risking a Christmas meltdown because of their stubborn refusal to treat their employees with respect

“Postal workers want to get on with serving the communities they belong to, delivering Christmas gifts and tackling the backlog from recent weeks.

“But they know their value, and they will not meekly accept the casualisation of their jobs, the destruction of their conditions and the impoverishment of their families.

“This can be resolved if Royal Mail begin treating their workers with respect, and meet with the union to resolve this dispute.”

What does Royal Mail say?

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “The CWU is striking at our busiest time, deliberately holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses and families across the country.

“We are doing everything we can to deliver Christmas for our customers, and would like to thank the increasing number of posties returning to work each strike day, temporary workers and managers from across the business who are helping to keep the mail moving.

“However, this task becomes more challenging as Christmas nears.

“Three weeks ago, we made a best and final pay offer worth up to 9% over 18 months.

“Instead of working with us to agree on changes required to fund that offer and get pay into our posties’ pockets, the CWU has announced plans to ballot in the New Year for further strike action.

“Their misguided belief that further industrial action, in a business already losing more than £1 million a day, will result in an improved pay offer is misleading its members and risking their long-term job security.”