A two-day strike by postal employees deliberate for later this month has been referred to as off following a authorized problem by Royal Mail.
In a publication to members, the Communication Staff Union (CWU) blamed legal guidelines which can be “closely weighted towards working individuals” for scrapping deliberate walkouts on 16 and 17 February.
The letter didn’t element the character of the problem however insisted attorneys “have suggested that we might defend our place in courtroom”.
Nevertheless, it provides that “given the legal guidelines on this nation are closely weighted towards working individuals, the dangers of shedding in courtroom might probably impression on the re-ballot – we merely can not enable this occur”.
The union’s strike mandate runs out on 17 February and members are presently being balloted on whether or not to strike for an additional six months within the bitter dispute over pay and situations.
The CWU stated they obtained correspondence in regards to the authorized problem over the weekend and referred to as it “the most recent in an extended listing of deliberate, sustained and coordinated assaults” on its members.
Union leaders stated profitable a sure vote within the subsequent poll “needs to be our absolute focus” and that particulars of a “formal strike fund” to assist employees taking industrial motion will likely be introduced shortly.
The union stated they may re-enter negotiations with Royal Mail Group this week however warned: “If talks fail, we’ll considerably step up the programme of strike motion.”
The CWU has been locked within the dispute with Royal Mail since autumn with members staging 18 days of strikes within the second half of 2022 over pay, jobs and situations.
Members have been preventing proposed modernisation plans they are saying would “spell the tip” of Royal Mail and need an improved pay deal on the “best and final” 9% offer they rejected last year.
The dispute has grow to be more and more bitter and private, with firm and union leaders at every others’ throats in a public battle for sympathy.
Dave Ward, head of the CWU, has claimed Royal Mail is utilizing a “punishment constitution” to intimidate putting employees and that union representatives have been suspended.
In the meantime Simon Thompson, the CEO of Royal Mail, has accused CWU members of “extraordinary behaviours” and claimed he has obtained allegations of racism, sexism and violence on picket strains.
Because the row rumbles on, Mr Thompson has been recalled to parliament to face additional questions after a bruising session in entrance of the Enterprise, Vitality and Industrial Technique Committee final month.
This noticed him face a grilling about his £140,000 bonus and half-a-million pound salary when the corporate is working at a loss of around £1m a day and seeking to make thousands of redundancies to cut costs.
The committee recalled Mr Thompson after receiving proof casting doubt over the accuracy of statements he made about his operating of the corporate, significantly in regard to monitoring employees and whether or not parcels are prioritised over letters.
Royal Mail responded: “We welcome the chance to increase on any factors on which the committee would really like clarification, and share the steps we’re taking to resolve this dispute and safe the long-term way forward for Royal Mail for our individuals and prospects.”