Late-summer strikes by 115,000 Royal Mail workers have moved a step closer after an overwhelming vote in favour of walkouts, threatening massive disruption to postal deliveries across the country.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said 97.6% of members who voted backed strikes in a 77% turnout, threatening the biggest strike action in the so-called summer of discontent to date.
However, no strike dates were announced in response to the ballot – allowing more time for a negotiated settlement.
The result was announced 24 hours after a separate dispute at the company eased back from the brink of strike action.
A three-day walkout by 2,400 managers, due to start on Wednesday, was called off by Unite after a ballot on new proposals to help end their row with bosses over jobs, pay and conditions.
The CWU remains locked in several pay disputes, including one at BT and at the Post Office.
It is part of a union campaign for pay awards in line with soaring inflation, which stands at a 40-year high of 9.1%.
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The Royal Mail dispute is not only about pay but conditions attached to the company’s offer.
Royal Mail boss Simon Thompson told Sky News last month that it had offered a 5.5% pay rise and already passed on, with no strings attached, a 2% increase to help its workers navigate the cost of living crisis while talks with the CWU continued.
It suggested that the remaining 3.5% on the table was conditional on the union accepting the company’s need to modernise as it aims to become a parcels-focused business due to the gradual decline in letter volumes.
The company is also understood to have offered a new “above and beyond” bonus.
It is yet to comment on the result of the strike vote.
