Royal Mail, BT and Openreach workers strike today
Members of the CWU have walked out
Workers from Royal Mail, BT and Openreach engineers have walked out on strike today in separate disputes over pay and conditions.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are embroiled in long running rows with the companies and today's action makes it one of the biggest strikes of the year.
Railway workers, council employees, barristers, lecturers and dockers are among other union members to have taken industrial action this year, with other groups of workers, including NHS staff and teachers, being balloted for strikes.
Union leaders attending the TUC Congress in Brighton will stage a protest on Thursday in support of the CWU strikes.
Royal Mail strikes
The CWU accused Royal Mail chief executive Simon Thompson of side stepping talks aimed at avoiding strike action.
The union said that in recent weeks, relations between worker and employer have deteriorated, with Royal Mail serving legal notice that it was withdrawing from existing agreements with the CWU, as well as threatening to cut 10,000 jobs following strike action last week.
CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “Instead of sitting down and sorting out his problems like an adult, Simon Thompson chose to be a vanishing act instead.
“When someone like him earns £62,750 a month and can give himself six-figure bonuses, it is a disgrace that he sees it fit to disrespect our members in such a way.
“Simon can’t dodge the reality that a mood of rebellion is sweeping postal workers who won’t accept Thompson’s hostile and bizarre behaviour.
“Postal workers go above and beyond every day and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. We won’t be backing down until we get just that.”
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “On Friday, 14 October, we announced losses of £219 million in the first half of the year.
“This once again demonstrates the urgent need for Royal Mail to change.
“Further strike action would materially increase our losses for the full year and may necessitate further operational restructuring and job losses.
“Four weeks have passed since we invited the CWU to enter talks with Acas to resolve the change and pay dispute.
“We once again urge the CWU to join us in Acas talks.
“This is the only way to reach a resolution and secure Royal Mail’s future and jobs for 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.”
Royal Mail said the CWU’s statement on Simon Thompson’s salary was incorrect, pointing out the correct figure was £525,000.