Postal workers yesterday called for public sector unions to come out on strike with them on the eve of the second of two 48-hour strikes by the Communication Workers Union (CWU).
Referring to the strike action from last Thursday to Saturday, Paddington’s West London Mail Centre CWU acting area processing rep, Tony Moss, said: ‘The strike’s been solid again.
‘At Paddington we have another ballot going on against the closure of this office.
‘In two weeks’ time, we face being transferred to Greenford, Mount Pleasant and the Jubilee Centre in Feltham.
‘Part of the reason we are on strike is Royal Mail’s flexibility plans.
‘If they bring them in on Wednesday, then that will be by Executive Order, so nothing will be resolved.
‘We have to get the public sector out together to win this dispute.
‘The government would have to sit up and listen then.
‘The PCS has offered its full support. That should mean bringing all its members out on strike.
‘The only way we are going to get a result that suits us is to get everybody out.’
Watford CWU branch secretary Alan Walsh added: ‘It’s gone really well all round the country. It’s really solid.
‘The thing that has angered members the most is the attack on pensions and flexible working.
‘The first phase of “flexibility” is due in on Wednesday.
‘There will be quite a few businesses affected that will be angry at not getting their mail early, especially when they have paid for the timed delivery service upfront.
‘In the second phase, management want to have starts and finishes at different times.
‘We stand to lose money over it, and it will ruin our work/life balance.
‘This is unacceptable. This is why the strike is so well supported.
‘Most postmen know this is a fight we cannot afford to lose and are prepared for the long haul.
‘There is a lot of call for an all out strike.
‘It would be nice for other unions to be out with us.
‘It would highlight not just our dispute, but everyone else’s.
‘We should all have a one-day strike together.
‘The decision by the Unite union leaders to accept pension changes on behalf of managers is disgraceful.
‘They not only let the CWU down but their own members by not having a ballot.’
The CWU is rallying today at Central Hall, Westminster from 11am.
