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| Volume 52 Number 19, August 27, 2022 | ARCHIVE | HOME | JBCENTRE | SUBSCRIBE |
Striking postal workers at Gloucester South - Photo: CWU
News
Postal workers are taking strike action in the spirit of Enough is Enough. The announced strike dates are Friday August 26, Wednesday August 31, Thursday September 8, and Friday September 9.
The postal workers had returned a massive vote for strike action. They urged Royal Mail to reconsider their stance in regard to the workers' claim, and rejected management's attempts to force an erosion of workplace rights. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) have entered into a formal dispute with the company over pay and conditions on behalf of the workers.
Workers voted by 98.7% on a 72.2% turnout, complementing a 97.6% "yes" vote on a 77% turnout for strike action over pay in July. Despite having only five working days to mobilise, the "yes" vote has grown from the previous turnout.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: "Today's result is another rejection of those at the top of Royal Mail, who should consider their positions." He continued, "Postal workers in this country are being pushed to the edge, but there can be no doubt that they will fight the planned erosion of their workplace rights with determination. Right now, this country is growing sick of a business elite who are completely out of touch with ordinary people and their lives. Things are getting harder and harder for normal working people so that incompetent bosses can have an easy life. But this union will fight this disgraceful state of affairs every step of the way. The CWU's message to Royal Mail's management is simple: do right by your workers."
CWU deputy general secretary Terry Pullinger said: "Our members, who worked miracles during the pandemic, are being treated with complete contempt. The ongoing attempts of Royal Mail Group to whittle away people's hard-won working conditions will be met with fierce opposition. For far too long now, Royal Mail Group have been trying to pick a fight, treating our members like they are the dirt they walk on. But Royal Mail Group have completely failed to recognise the strength of feeling that exists against them. In these times, working people need more security on the job, not less, and we won't be backing down until we secure an acceptable solution for our members."
It is clear to all the workers involved in struggle that the old economic model in which private vested interests concentrate power, wealth and privilege in fewer and fewer hands, and the government hides behind a fraudulent "arm's length" approach to the "market-place", has failed society and in particular is failing working people. The situation at Royal Mail is a case in point. Its history dates back to 1516 when it was established as a government department, and for most of its history it operated as a public service, especially since the mid 19th century when the ruling class was demanding public enterprises funded by the state for its benefit. Its history this century, however, has seen the struggle against its privatisation which the ruling elites had pushed as part of the neo-liberal offensive. The shares of Royal Mail were floated on the Stock Exchange in 2013 by the Coalition government, originally with a 30% government stake. But the government sold its shares two years later, ending 499 years of state ownership. The struggle has not gone away. The issue remains over whether Royal Mail should be run as a public service, or go further down the road of making maximum profit for its owners. This situation has only intensified during the Covid pandemic. Now, as the CWU is pointing out, Royal Mail is treating its workers with contempt. But the workers have their dignity and humanity, and are refusing to be treated as disposable items on a balance sheet. New thinking, a new aim and new direction are needed in conformity with the modern socialised productive forces. It is up to the working class and people to take this up.