Royal Mail tables new pay offer in bid to end strikes

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have staged a series of strikes in recent weeks, with more planned next month in response to what they say is a below-inflation offer.

Royal Mail, part of the renamed International Distribution Services group, said the new offer is worth 9%, including a 7% salary increase over two years, plus a lump sum payment of 2% this year.

“The offer is subject to agreeing a programme of change with the CWU, including changes to Sunday working, start times and flexible working, so that Royal Mail can re-invent and compete in the growing parcels market," the company said in a statement on Monday.

“We urge the CWU leadership to accept the change and pay offer without delay, call off damaging strike action, and help us to transform the business. That is the only way to secure Royal Mail’s future and ensure job security for our people.”

Royal Mail upped the stakes in the dispute with postal workers two weeks ago, threatening to fire 6,000 workers as part of a wider plan to cut 10,000 jobs by the end of next August, while blaming financial losses on strikes and lower parcel volumes.

Talks between the union and the company have been held at the conciliation service Acas, and planned strikes in the next two weeks were called off following a challenge by the company.

The union said on Sunday that, following a letter from Royal Mail’s legal team, it had decided to withdraw industrial action notices over the next two weeks. It added that strikes will resume on Saturday November 12.