Postal workers in London have voted by four to one (79 per cent) in favour of strike action against plans to shut three mail centres and one delivery office in London, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) announced yesterday.
The CWU said it 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, the union added.
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 ballot closed yesterday and of the returned ballot papers 79 per cent voted in favour of strike action with only 21 per cent voting no.
The four workplaces are: Mount Pleasant, Nine Elms (Vauxhall), Rathbone Place and East London.