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Massive ‘Yes’ vote for UK Post Office strike
Published: 11 March 2011
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Dave Ward
 Andy Furey |
UK Post Office workers, members of the CWU UK, have voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action in a dispute over pay, job security and the future of the Crown post office network. The ballot closed with 93% voting yes making the result in favour of strike action by more than 9 to 1. The turnout was 66%. CWU is now encouraging Post Office Ltd to return to talks and table a realistic pay offer for counter staff and discuss the future of the Crown network. Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Post Office workers have sent a clear message to management in this ballot that they are not prepared to take double standards when it comes to pay. However, this ballot is about more than pay; it is the job security of our members and the future of the Crown office network which is also at stake. "We want to see a strong network of Crown offices, but the government and the company appear to be hiding the fact that they are planning a programme of further Post Office closures. Given the lack of support from the government - only yesterday taking a key benefits contract away from the Post Office - we fear for the future of the network." Andy Furey, CWU assistant secretary, said: "Our members have effectively registered a vote of no confidence in Paula Vennells, the Post Office Managing Director. This massive YES vote demonstrates the strength of anger towards POL for attacking their pay, terms, conditions and job security. "Although we have a mandate to take strike action, we continue to be responsible and our doors are open for POL to talk to us about a fair offer for our members." Fresh talks are due to commence and CWU will continue to press POL to negotiate a fair and decent pay and job security agreement over the coming days. Failure to reach an agreement could result in CWU members taking strike action by the end of March. Ballot result: YES votes: 2,365 - 93% NO votes: 172 - 7% Turnout: 66% Background: Post Office Ltd (POL) made increased profits of £72 million last year, awarded a 2.25 per cent pay rise to managers and increased directors' remuneration by 21 per cent (worth £3.9 million in 2009-10). However, POL has pleaded poverty and refused to consider a pay rise for counter staff. The company is also refusing to extend a guarantee on the number of crown offices - currently at 373 - which implies that further closures are being planned. Almost 4,000 staff across 373 offices UK-wide were balloted for strike action. This is the first ballot of Post Office staff since summer 2007 . |