Mandelson defies union over Royal Mail
By Alex Stevenson
Business secretary Peter Mandelson gave his wholehearted support to Royal Mail today after unions threatened further strikes as early as next week.
Lord Mandelson said industrial action would be a “suicidal act” after the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) threatened to begin striking on October 22nd if its final ultimatum is rejected.
“A national postal strike defies logic,” the business secretary said.
“It would be a suicidal act – turning more hard pressed consumers and businesses away from using mail.”
A letter sent today from the CWU’s deputy general secretary Dave Ward to Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson warned that notice of industrial action could be delivered this Thursday.
Under the relevant legislation one week’s notice of strike action must be delivered – hence the October 22nd date. CWU members voted by three to one in support of strike action last week.
“We have today written to Royal Mail making it clear that the CWU is ready to issue notice for a national strike as voted for by three-quarters of postal workers,” Mr Ward said.
Under the CWU demands the Royal Mail would have to publish its business plan in full, commit that change will be introduced through agreement and agree to “step back from imposed change”.
Mr Ward added: “If Royal Mail really is sincere about reaching an agreement we expect them to take up this offer for the interests of all involved in the mail industry.”
Lord Mandelson said the government’s financial backing to Royal Mail in order to secure its modernisation risked being ‘impeded’ by the strikes.
He added: “We remain in close contact with the CWU and Royal Mail management and our message is clear – strikes are not the way to resolve differences or safeguard the future of our postal services.”
Postal services remain disrupted by previous strike action. Most parts of London have a delay of around one to two days, while some of the south-west and south-east postal districts are suffering from a delay of up to four days.
“While the amount of delayed mail is a fraction of the daily mailbag we are concerned about every single letter and we apologise wholeheartedly to customers for the difficulties cause by the CWU’s strikes,” Mr Higson said.
