News

Royal Mail has applied to suspend the bulk mail compensation scheme in the light of the first national postal strike in the UK for 11 years.

The industrial action, announced today by the Communications Workers Union (CWU) deputy general secretary Dave Ward is to be held Friday 29 June.

A spokesperson from watchdog Postcomm told printweek.com that consumer post will not be affected by Royal Mail's bid, but for bulk mailers, a successful application will result in the mail service having two years before having to compensate companies’ losses caused by the strike.

The spokesperson confirmed that Royal Mail had "made a request in this instance", and Postcomm's decision would rest on Royal Mail's efforts to "minimise disruption".

The strike has been scheduled after talks broke down between Royal Mail and the CWU over plans to modernise the service.

The core issue was a 2.5 per cent pay deal, which Royal Mail claimed it was not prepared to change.

In a statement, Ward alleged that Royal Mail had been "deliberately misleading the public on what this dispute is about.

"We have tried to reach an agreement but Royal Mail are refusing to negotiate... We have also agreed further strike action within in two weeks from the 29th June that is designed to maximise the impact on Royal Mail but at minimum cost to the CWU members."

The CWU said it is committed to reaching an agreement in the time leading up to the strike.