Postal workers employed by Royal Mail struck across the six counties together for the first time in well over a decade yesterday as part of the CWU strike against an imposed pay increase which was deemed far too low for 2022: just 2%. In the UK the Retail Price Index shows inflation over 12% and even less accurate measures place it over 10%.
The tiny 2% was announced and implemented, avoiding any consultation with the workers’ union the Communications Workers Union (note this is not related to the CWU in the south) or any agreement from the workers.
People Before Profit visited three sites used by the now-privatised delivery company. We spoke to workers about their experience in the company, in fightbacks against management and on the practical aspects of maintaining the pickets in the face of fairly hostile press.
Shop stewards said they were advised not to give named statements or do single photos because CWU doesn’t want members victimised by management and they expect the strike to be long.
Friday 26 was the first of four announced strike dates. Below is an interview with a postal delivery worker in Belfast city centre.
PBP: Is this your first strike?
CWU Striker: No, this is the first strike we’ve done since 2006. That was unofficial. We were out for weeks over bullying bosses. It was a local issue. Bosses bullying our members. That was brutal. We were out for weeks. Real hardships.
PBP: And as that was unofficial you didn’t get strike pay for that.
CWU Striker: No.
PBP: But you are getting strike pay for this…
CWU Striker: No, we’re not. No, no.
PBP: That’s unusual. Because Unite pay…
CWU Striker: Unite pay their members because they have a million members. We have 150,000. Our union can’t afford that.
PBP: So your members need contributions. How can members of the public make contributions or donate to a Royal Mail Strike hardship fund?
CWU Striker: I’m not sure- I’m not aware there’s one set up now. You’d need to ask —. But no. We’re not. We’re not out here getting paid for this.
But, that’s the strength of feeling amongst the members, you know? They’re willing to take a hit – a day’s pay- this week, next week, and two days in September- in order to make a point. We have to stand up. We can’t continue like this. …
We need to stand up for each other. Why shouldn’t this be a start? I know now nurses are balloting. It’s spreading around. I think we need to strike. They’re looking to ram home the fact they (as working people) are important. The workers elect these politicians who make the rules. We’re just as important. We have to have a stronger numbers to go on strike than they have to get to go into Westminster!
PBP: What was it like on the day when management emailed about the tiny 2% pay increase?
CWU Striker: Ah, disgusted. Just… we were angry. Annoyed -by the whole situation! It’s almost like they wanted us to go out on the street. They haven’t even tried to engage with us. Meetings with management and staff have been quite adversarial. It’s concerning for sure. I’ve been in this for (over 20 years) and I haven’t seen management this aggressive before. The CEO had said there would be changes a few years ago, but it actually seems like they’re going backwards.
Wednesday next week will be Royal Mail Strike Day 2 and a large rally in the city centre will happen (image below for details).
People Before Profit encourages all the public north and south to come out on Wednesday and support them on days 3 and 4, Thursday 8 September and Friday 9 September.
Our Workers Deserve A Pay Rise event is happening today at 3pm in Belfast at the Belfast Exposed Photography Gallery. Support the workers. Support the strike. Get to the rally.
