Postal workers are to stage a one-day strike after voting 4-1 in favour of walkouts over issues linked to the controversial privatisation of Royal Mail.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will stage a walkout on November 4 after backing industrial action by 78%.
The union said it will consider further action and announced an escalation, with a new ballot which will enable postal workers to boycott competitors’ mail.
CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said: “Postal workers have spoken very clearly that they care about their jobs, terms and conditions far more than they care about shares. The stakes have become much higher for postal workers since privatisation, making this ballot more important than ever.”
The union balloted around 115,000 of its members in the Royal Mail and Parcelforce, and reported a turnout of 63%.
Mr Ward said the question now was whether a privatised Royal Mail still wanted an agreement.
“We have offered the company a two-week period to reach an agreement and, having already had many hours of negotiation, this is achievable if there is a will.
“The clock is ticking for both sides and we need Royal Mail to work to reach agreement before this deadline.
“What we want is a ground-breaking, long-term, legally binding agreement that not only protects postal workers’ job security, pay and pensions, but will also determine the strategy, principles and values of how the Royal Mail Group will operate as a private entity.
“This means there will be no further break-up of the company, no franchising of individual offices or delivery rounds, no introduction of a cheaper workforce on two-tier terms and conditions and no part-time industry.
“It will mean – regardless of who owns Royal Mail – this company will not be able to enter the race to the bottom.”