NEARLY one hundred union members are expected to be striking in Barrow this morning as part of nationwide industrial action over pay.
More than 100,000 postal workers are expected to walk out today across all corners of the UK, in what is being described as the biggest strike of the summer so far.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said its members are taking industrial action for a ‘dignified, proper pay rise’ after they voted in favour by 97.6 per cent in a ballot.
The union said management imposed a two per cent pay rise on employees, yet they were classified as key workers throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
READ MORE: Royal Mail workers to walk out over pay in ‘summer’s biggest strike’
CWU general secretary Dave Ward said: “There can be no doubt that postal workers are completely united in their determination to secure the dignified, proper pay rise they deserve.
“We can’t keep on living in a country where bosses rake in billions in profit while their employees are forced to use food banks."
Today’s strikes will be followed by further stoppages on Wednesday August 31, Thursday September 8 and Friday September 9.
The CWU representative in Barrow said all 90 of its members in the Barrow depot are expected to be striking today.
He said: “We are taking industrial action over an imposed two per cent pay rise at a time when the business has demonstrated, by paying out huge amounts in shareholder dividends and management bonuses, that it can afford to help protect its employees from the cost of living crisis by giving their hard working staff a proper dignified pay award.”
READ MORE: Barrow postal workers vote on whether or not to strike in a dispute over pay
Royal Mail said it has ‘well-developed contingency plans’ to minimise disruption, focused on getting mail delivery back to normal as quickly as possible after strike action.
The company said that on days when strike action is taking place, it will deliver as many Special Delivery and Tracked24 parcels as possible, prioritising the delivery of Covid test kits and medical prescriptions.
Customers are advised to post items as early as possible in advance of the strike dates, adding that collections will be less frequent on strike days.
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