Solid YES vote by CWU members

In the first test of the Tory Government's anti-union "thresholds", CWU members in the Royal Mail have voted decisively to take strike action in defence of members' pensions and conditions.  The ballot saw a huge 73% turnout, smashing through the Government's imposed threshold, and 89.1% of those voting voted YES.

The Communication Workers Union has today served notice on Royal Mail Group for the 48 hour strike beginning at 11:00am on Thursday 19th October. This will involve 111,000 postal workers.

The vote was sparked by the company’s attack on the pension rights of hard-working postmen and women and the refusal of the employer to engage seriously over pay, working hours, future job security and the need to improve and grow the service to the public.

The union’s deputy general secretary (postal) Terry Pullinger said:

“This ballot result is hugely significant and demonstrates a strength of feeling that can only be translated as a massive vote of no confidence in the managerial leadership of the Royal Mail Group and the direction that they advocate.  Any sense of vocational spirit and working together with management has been lost in a climate of fear and insecurity. This massive failure in trust has created a break down in relationships and a toxic environment where working together to solve difficult problems has become almost impossible. The managerial leadership has failed and should resign or be sacked. This is a dispute about honour and we refuse to simply stand aside,” Terry added.

Reacting to the result, CWU general secretary Dave Ward said:

“This is a fantastic result for our members and indeed the wider trade union movement. As the first union to test the Trade Union Act we have passed with flying colours. The mixture of a fantastic campaign, led by Terry Pullinger and the Postal Executive, a brilliantly innovative communications strategy and an inspirational ground force has returned a resounding result.   The CWU have tapped into a mood amongst workers in across the UK. Our members are prepared to stand up and fight to protect their terms and conditions and we will do everything within our means to defend them,” Dave added.

We will keep trade unionists in Eastbourne informed of picket lines, and any other action they can take to support our colleagues in their dispute.