London postal workers vote ‘Yes’ for strike action

Postal workers in London have voted by four to one (79%) in favour of strike action against plans to shut three mail centres and one delivery office.

The Communication Workers Union is concerned that the closures will lead to compulsory redundancies.

Up to 3,500 Royal Mail staff will take strike action unless reassurances are given over job security and concerns of bullying are addressed.

Martin Walsh, CWU divisional rep, said: “London postal workers have sent a clear message to Royal Mail in this ballot that they will not be bullied or intimidated by the company.

“Royal Mail’s closure plans are a clear threat of compulsory redundancy and this is completely unacceptable.

“In their race to push services to the bottom Royal Mail will eventually provoke a reaction wider than London.”

Mark Palfrey, CWU Divisional Rep, said: “This result tells Royal Mail in no uncertain terms that they as an employer are completely out of step with their employees.

“We urge Royal Mail to engage with the union to address the real concern of postal workers across the capital.”

The four workplaces are: Mount Pleasant, Nine Elms (Vauxhall), Rathbone Place and East London.

From a CWU press release