READERS have been sharing their thoughts on the ongoing Royal Mail and BT strikes.
Royal Mail workers are preparing for further strike action on Wednesday, August 31, in Carlisle as part of a national dispute over pay and working conditions.
Communications Workers Union (CWU) members are walking out after 97.6 per cent of its members voted to take several days of industrial action to get a ‘dignified, proper pay rise’.
The current offer of a two per cent pay rise, far below the rate of inflation, has been roundly rejected and termed a ‘real time pay cut.’
There are around 100 Royal Mail staff who are members of the Carlisle branch of the CWU and they are all expected not to turn into work.
They are being joined by staff at BT and Openreach staff who are also members of the CWU, and their coordinated strike action is set to be the biggest of the summer so far.
"The reason for the strike is simple: workers will not accept a massive deterioration in their living standards," said CWU boss, Dave Ward.
“We won’t have bosses using Swiss banks while workers are using food banks. Workers are saying enough is enough. They have serious determination to win, and are not going to stop until they are listened to.”
Here’s what the readers had to say.
Stephen Smith said: “Royal Mail needs to change otherwise they will lose to competitors who work Sundays and bank holidays.”
David Eyley said: “Problem is, and trying to be realistic, the strike impact now doesn’t have the same impact as it would’ve 35 years ago, when it used to cause real harm.
“Bills come by email/text/messages, and appointments too.
“Very few young people send any sort of letters, and when was the last time you sent or received a postcard?”
Kev Foy said: “Has anyone noticed any difference?”
Simon Tunstall abstractly supports the strikes: “Well at least it means I won't get a Domino’s pizza menu delivered to go straight in the recycling today.”