POSTAL workers will stage two nationwide strikes next week in a bitter row over pay, jobs and working conditions, which will cripple mail deliveries, it was announced yesterday.
About 42,000 mail-centre staff and drivers will walk out on Thursday for 24 hours, followed by another 24-hour stoppage on Friday by 78,000 delivery and collection staff.
The Communication Workers Union said it had made a “genuine offer” to avert a national strike and accused the Royal Mail of rejecting it without proper consideration.
The union said it had “no choice” but to press ahead with naming strike dates after its peace offer was turned down.
CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said: “We made a genuine offer to Royal Mail that would have given space for detailed discussions without a strike.
“We were severely disappointed that within two or three hours the company rejected it, apparently without even affording it proper consideration.”
The union also called on the UK Government to intervene.
Mr Ward said: “This government has recently intervened in the problems of Vauxhall and Lloyds Bank. They are the sole shareholder of Royal Mail and it is unbelievable that they continue to stand aside.”
Royal Mail’s managing director Mark Higson said the union’s decision to call a strike next week was an “appalling and unjustified attack” on customers and showed a “reckless disregard” for everyone who depended on the company.
“The strike announcement simply shows just how dishonest the union’s claim to embrace the need to modernise is. Instead it is demanding an absolute veto over future change and modernisation – and demanding more money – backed up with action which they know will drive customers away.”
The Royal Mail accused the union of reneging on its commitments.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: “I very much regret this decision by the CWU. Candidly, I think it is suicidal.
“Taking industrial action will not resolve this dispute. It will only serve to drive more customers away from Royal Mail. One thing this company cannot afford is strikes.”