Postal strikes continue in Bucks, Beds and Herts for a second day
This is the 18th day of strike action this year
Last updated 24th Dec 2022
Postal workers across Bucks, Beds, and Herts are striking for the second day in a row as the disruption to Christmas continues.
Who is striking and why?
Members of the Communications Workers Union (CWU) are striking over a long-running dispute with Royal Mail over pay, jobs, and conditions.
Steve Butts is the representative for the East of England: "One is pay, but that has not become the key issue. What has been revealed after we submitted our pay claim is an attack upon postal workers terms and conditions. They want to replace us with owner drivers."
He added: "Our members are not proud that we haven't been able to deliver Christmas. We would have delivered Christmas if our employer had been reasonable but our employer, Royal Mail, have not been reasonable."
What's Royal Mail's reaction?
In a statement on their website, Royal Mail said: "Following several months of talks between Royal Mail and Communication Workers Union, including ACAS facilitation, Royal Mail has shared a best and final offer for pay and change.
"The revised offer includes extensive improvements that have been made during the negotiations with the CWU, including an enhanced pay deal of 9% over 18 months and a number of other concessions to terms and agreements. The offer is subject to agreeing a programme of change with the CWU.
"We're urging CWU leadership to accept the change and pay offer, call off future damaging strike action, for the good of our customers and our people.
"We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience the CWU's continued strike action will cause. We are doing all we can to minimise delays and keep people, businesses and the country connected."
How will post be impacted?
According to Royal Mail, during the strikes, they will deliver as many Special Delivery and Tracked 24 hour parcels as possible.
COVID test kids and prescriptions will also be prioritised.
Unfortunately, no letters will be delivered during the industrial action.
As a result, people have been advised to post things in advance.
How long could this last?
According to Steve: "Under the current employment law legislation, the 2015 Act, we have to re-ballot our members in January. So that will give an indication of exactly where our members' heads are."