Royal Mail Strikes To End As Workers Approve Pay Deal

The Communication Workers Union has voted to approve pay deal with Royal Mail that was struck in April, officially bringing an end to strike actions that caused major disruptions to postal delivery throughout the UK.

The CWU had recommended members accept the deal and 67% of members voted to do so with more than 75% member turnout.

Staff will receive a 10% rise over three years and a one-off lump sum of £500 under the agreement, though the union had initially sought an annual increase in line with the rate of inflation.

The agreement also includes later starting times for deliveries, new seasonal working patterns and regular Sunday working which Royal Mail says allow it to adapt to changing customer demands and grow its seven-day parcel business.

In addition to the pay rise, CWU won the promise of an independent investigation into suspended or sacked workers and reduced use of agency workers.

Royal Mail updated their "latest news" section with the following statement:

Royal Mail is pleased that members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have voted in favour of the Royal Mail/CWU Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth Agreement. 75.84% of eligible CWU members participating in the ballot voted in favour of the agreement.

The agreement provides Royal Mail a platform for the next phase of stabilising the business whilst continuing to drive necessary changes. The changes in the agreement are designed to be good for customers, increasing our ability to improve services and quality; good for employees, retaining job security and giving people a pay rise; good for the environment, reducing the company’s reliance on domestic air, further reducing carbon emissions; and supporting the long-term sustainability of the business.

We are now working with the CWU to deliver the transformation activity in the agreement and implement the changes agreed.

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