Postal workers in Macclesfield are to stage a one-day strike over issues linked to the controversial privatisation of Royal Mail.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will stage a walkout on November 4 after backing industrial action by 78 per cent.
A union spokesman claims 104 members are expected to stage a 24-hour walk out at the Macclesfield Delivery Office meaning no mail will be sorted or leave the Jordangate depot for delivery.
The union said it will consider further action and announced an escalation, with a new ballot which would enable postal workers to boycott competitors’ mail.
Dave Kennedy, CWU Branch secretary for Macclesfield, said: “Our members are rightfully angry that following almost 21 years of battling privatisation in one form or another, the recent sale was ultimately carried out by a government with no mandate to do so.
“Our job now is to protect our members from the inevitable negatives of the sell off.
“Ordinary postal workers have sent a very clear message that they value jobs more than shares and this vote strengthens our position as we seek to secure a legally binding deal on protecting jobs, services and terms and conditions in the company.
“Following the privatisation of Royal Mail, we will not accept people maximising individual profit on the back of minimising the terms and conditions of postal workers.
“Regardless of who owns the company, we will protect our members.
“We are determined that this privatisation will not lead to the kind of job losses and downward pressure on pay and conditions seen in other privatised industries.”
The union balloted around 115,000 of its members in the Royal Mail and Parcelforce, and reported a turnout of 63 percent. CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said: “Postal workers have spoken very clearly that they care about their jobs, terms and conditions far more than they care about shares. The stakes have become much higher for postal workers since privatisation, making this ballot more important than ever.
“Postal workers will not be the people who pay for the profits of private operators and faceless shareholders.”
Royal Mail said it was ‘very disappointed’ by the strike announcement, adding that any action, or the threat of disruption, was damaging to its business, especially in the run-up to Christmas.
A statement said: “Royal Mail will do all that we can to protect our business and minimise the impact of any industrial action on our customers’ mail.”
