Royal Mail strikes: Martin Docherty-Hughes urges 'meaningful' talks over job cuts threat

[TrueBlueTerrier]

https://www.dumbartonreporter.co.uk/new ... l-strikes/

ROYAL Mail bosses are being urged to "engage meaningfully" with postal workers' trade union in a bid to avert further strikes.

The call comes from West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes after the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which has held several nationwide strikes in recent weeks, called further industrial action for November 2, 3 and 4.

Last week, Royal Mail announced its intention to slash 10,000 jobs, blaming the CWU strike action and low parcel delivery sales for the move.


Mr Docherty-Hughes said: "Postal workers across West Dunbartonshire are struggling to make ends meet in the face of the cost-of-living crisis while Royal Mail shareholders benefited from bumper profits in the millions.

"It is understandable that postal workers find the argument that there isn't money for them to have a fair wage unpalatable when there are millions of pounds of profit for shareholders, who should share the burden – when hard working postal staff are struggling to put food on their table this winter.

"Royal Mail staff and their families across Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale need financial security.

“The decision to strike will not have been easy for any of them, but this is about more than pay; it is also about protecting the universal mail service we all expect and value.

"Royal Mail need to get back to the negotiating table – in a meaningful way – and put our communities at the heart of discussions."

In a joint letter to the chief executive officer of Royal Mail, Mr Docherty-Hughes branded the move to potentially cut jobs as “unacceptable”.

The local SNP MP has also called this move a ‘tactic in the ongoing pay dispute with postal workers and is accusing Royal Mail of ‘acting in bad faith’.

He added: “It’s unacceptable to see the language employed by Royal Mail in threatening its workforce with job losses because they dare to ask for a fair work package."

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We remain hopeful of entering talks this week with the CWU through Acas to resolve our dispute on change and pay.

“This is the only way to get a resolution and secure Royal Mail’s future and jobs for our people.

“On Friday, October 14, we announced losses of £219 million in the first half of the year. Strike action has weakened our financial position and threatens the job security of our postmen and women.

“To give the talks the best platform to build towards an agreement, we call on the CWU to suspend their planned industrial action.

"The focus now must be on overcoming the difficulties that have prevented an agreement from being reached.

“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.”