Royal Mail - Industrial Relations

Industrial Relations

Royal Mail has been at the centre of a number of industrial disputes during its history with the trade union that represents the majority of its workers, the Communication Workers Union (CWU).

Earlier disputes include a seven-week strike in 1971 after a dispute over pay and another strike in 1988 due bonuses being paid to new staff recruited in London and the South East.

Royal Mail suffered national wildcat strikes over pay and conditions in 2003.

In Autumn 2007, disputes over modernisation began to escalate into industrial action. In mid October the CWU and Royal Mail agreed a resolution to the dispute.

In December 2008, workers at Mail Centres affected by proposals to rationalise the number of Mail Centres (particularly in North West England) again voted for strike action, potentially affecting Christmas deliveries. The action was postponed less than 24 hours before staff were due to walk out.

Localised strikes took place across the UK from June 2009 and grew in frequency throughout the summer. A ballot on national industrial action over Royal Mail's failure to reach a national agreement covering protection of jobs, pay, terms and conditions and the cessation of managerial executive action was passed in October, causing a number of two and three day strikes.