Royal Mail strikers in Tiverton have been gifted £170 to help them during industrial action. Political party LIFT (Local Independents for Tiverton) donated the funds at a recent day of action outside the sorting office on Barrington Street on Thursday, November 24.
Sarah Perris, a LIFT member, said: "We've launched a strike fund for workers in Tiverton who are being forced out on strike to defend their pay and conditions. We wanted to show solidarity in the community for workers in that situation. We've launched a strike fund with a GoFundMe on the internet, and we've also got tins at Black Dog and Sweet FA, Reloaded T-Shirts and Bridge Troll Hobbies.
"We've presented £170 that we've given to the strikers in the form of Morrison's vouchers to help them out as they're losing income while on strike. In total, so far, we've raised £180; that's not including the tins that are in the shops. Following the strikes today, we're going to push this on social media, hoping it will boost donations. We appreciate it's difficult as many people like and share it; some don't have enough money to donate.
"It was important for LIFT to get behind the strikers because they stand for all of us. The attacks on pay and conditions are going to affect everybody, and they're going to affect our community. If people don't have money in their pockets, they can't spend money in our community, so it's in the interests of all of us for these strikes to be successful."
The CWU has formally notified Royal Mail they plan to call on their members who collect, sort and deliver parcels and letters to take national strike action on Friday, December 9, Sunday, December 11, Wednesday, December 14 and Thursday, December 15.
Sarah Perris presents Morrisons vouchers to striking Royal Mail staff
A statement from Royal Mail said: "Royal Mail has well-developed contingency plans, but we cannot fully replace the daily efforts of our frontline workforce. We'll be doing what we can to keep services running, but we are sorry this planned strike action is likely to cause you some disruption.
"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 made during the negotiations with the CWU, including an enhanced pay deal of nine per cent 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."
A postal worker who spoke to The Gazette anonymously said: "I'm striking for fair pay, for a fair day's work in fair conditions, and to be treated decently in the job. The average income isn't £45,000 as has been portrayed in some places; it's nearer £23,000 yearly. I want to earn enough money to put food on the table for myself, the family, and my four boys.
"We've all got our reasons for going on strike. If anybody else were in our position, they'd be doing the same. All we have is our labour to withdraw, so we've decided to do that.
"This morning, we've had lots of public support and people beeping and many people turning up and wishing us well. It's been pretty good so far."