Royal Mail announces four-day strike

Royal Mail workers will hold two 48-hour strikes around Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday in an escalating dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.

He announced strikes around Black Friday 25 November and Cyber ​​Monday 28 November.

The union called off strikes planned for November 12 and 14, saying it wanted to take more “proportionate” action.

Royal Mail’s pay and conditions offer on Monday was described as a “surrender document” because the union said it included attacks on terms and conditions and redundancies.

The union will put the offer to a vote of its members and recommend rejection.

Members will also be asked to vote of no confidence in Royal Mail chief executive Simon Thompson.

CWU general secretary Dave Ward said industrial action would continue until Christmas unless the dispute was resolved.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: “On Monday 31 October, Royal Mail CWU proposed a new exchange offer worth 9 per cent over two years, despite making a loss of £219m in the first half of the year.

“The CWU are talking to us at Acas and they say they are open to change but now they have to show it.

“Instead, the CWU has announced a four-day strike which will further damage our business at our busiest time of year.

“The CWU is playing a dangerous game with its members’ jobs and the future of Royal Mail.

“We are calling on the CWU to withdraw these strikes for the good of our customers and people.

“We apologize to our customers for any inconvenience the continued CWU strike will cause.

“We are doing everything we can to minimize delays and keep people, businesses and the country connected.”