Post Office employees working at 114 crown post offices, larger branches usually found on high streets, have begun a 24-hour strike over pay.
The 3,500 members of staff, members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), rejected a pay offer from management worth 3% and a £500 lump sum. The union stated that this was below the current rate of inflation and that staff did not receive a pay increase for the 2021-22 financial year.
The strike, which will be the third by Post Office staff this year, will continue on Thursday when supply chain and administrative employees take part in industrial action, affecting sub-post offices, otherwise known as regular departmental post offices.
According to the union, the pay dispute is a matter of respect for public servants and key workers, who provided ongoing service during the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. CWU also pointed to the disparity in pay between those in charge of public services, as well as the profits being garnered, and the pay and living standards of those working on the front lines.
A Post Office spokesperson said: “There are 114 branches, typically in city centres, that are directly managed by Post Office. Half of these branches, 57, are open today. We’re disappointed that the CWU have made the decision to strike but remain hopeful that we can reach a pay agreement soon.”
Andy Furey, assistant secretary at CWU, added: “The blame for this disruption lies entirely with the senior Post Office leadership, who have repeatedly failed and wilfully refused to set out a sensible and fair pay agreement. Everyone knows that the only solution is a fair pay rise that properly rewards members for their extraordinary efforts in serving the public and delivering a profitable Post Office, while also taking account of the extreme cost of living.
“There most certainly is money available, but management do not want to give workers their fair share. Our message to the employer today is: don’t waste our members’ time by misleading statements. Stop the spin and get serious about pay. Until you do this, the strikes will continue.”