Royal Mail workers threaten to ruin Christmas as they vote massively in favour of strike action during festive period in dispute over job security and employment terms and conditions
Royal Mail workers have threatened to hit Christmas deliveries after voting for strikes in a row over job security.
The Communication Workers Union claim Royal Mail is not sticking to an agreement over plans to reduce the working week and guarantee job security.
The union’s members today backed industrial action by 97% in a turnout of almost 76%. No date has yet been given but the timing of the action raises fears it could hit Christmas deliveries.
The strike action was immediately backed by Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who branded the Royal Mail a ‘privatisation failure’.
Royal Mail workers have voted for strike action, potentially threatening Christmas deliveries
Mr Corbyn tweeted: ‘Thousands of posties have voted yes in record numbers for strike action in defence of their jobs.
‘Royal Mail is a Tory-Lib Dem privatisation failure. Its sell off led to shareholders creaming profits off the top while running down the service. #WeRiseAgain’
But many customers were unsympathetic, tweeting that the company delivers too much junk mail and striking before Christmas would only risk hastening its demise.
One wrote: ‘What, strike around Christmas time? This is ridiculous and it is gonna be chaos.’
The union said it was pleased with the large percentage of members who had voted for the move.
Union General Secretary Dave Ward said: ‘This result sends a clear message to Royal Mail Group – our members will not stand by as you rip up their terms and conditions and destroy the service they give to the public and businesses of the UK.
‘We would urge Royal Mail Group to now enter serious negotiations with this union. We also call on the public to get behind this dispute and your postal workers.
‘We are very proud of our members today. They have stood by their union in record numbers and given hope to workers across the nation.’
Many customers were unsympathetic, saying the action would cause ‘chaos’