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The Communication Workers Union have announced final results of the consultative ballot issued to members regarding the union's numerous proposals regarding the future of Royal. CWU announced today that the ballot was approved by over 90% of voting members

The ballot consisted of four questions. The first sought approval for the union's stance on an outstanding pay rise. The pay increase was due to CWU members in Royal Mail on April 1, 2013. Royal Mail have refused the pay increase. The union has called for an above-inflation pay rise in a two-year wage agreement to reward the workforce for their contributions to the success of Royal mail. That question was supported by 99% of voting members.



The second question addressed the union's opposition to the proposed privatisation of Royal Mail. The union is waging an all-out campaign to defeat privatisation and has partnered with other trade unions, community groups and businesses in support of keeping Royal Mail as a service to the British public. Opposition to privatisation was supported by 96% of voting members



The third question asked members if they support a boycott of competitors mail. The union has long maintained that improper regulation is gutting Royal Mail by encouraging more and more mail volume to be sorted and processed by competitors and dumped into the Royal Mail stream at a loss to the company. This practice threatens the universal service obligation and thousands of jobs of CWU members. The union is proposing a boycott policy of refusing to handle competitor's mail which enters through downstream access. The boycott policy was supported by 92% of voting members.



The final question asked for the endorsement of the union's policy of non-cooperation. CWU claim the company's insistence on growth in the parcel and packets segment is at odds with its policy of cost-cutting and service reduction. The union intends not to cooperate with Royal Mail on a number of outstanding issues regarding budgeting, performance and efficiency measurements until a deal is reached on all workplace issues. The policy of non-cooperation was supported by 92% of voting members.



Billy Hayes, CWU General Secretary said in a statement, "Today's ballot result shows we have resounding support for all the union's policies. This is a strong message to take forward action in each area to improve the working lives of postal workers and protect the services and jobs which customers and communities value." 



The ballot paves the way for the union to approach outstanding issues in Royal Mail in historic fashion. CWU have developed a complex campaign plan for the months ahead to win a pay rise, defeat the government's privatisation proposals and protect the universal service Royal Mail provides.