Postal workers picket north-east sites in pay dispute
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Members of the Communication Workers Union picketed several post-office sites in the north-east today in a show of direct action at their pay dispute.
Official picket lines took place in Banff and Inverurie where George Ross, Branch Secretary and ADR of the Grampian and Shetland (CWU) branch commented: "The CWU general secretary and the deputy general secretary (Postal) wrote to RMG to ask for immediate talks to set out the parameters to look to negotiate resolution and a way forward in the dispute.
"That’s been turned down so the industrial action is now taking place
"This was never the intention of our union, withdrawing out labour, this is always the last course of action.
"2 per cent, approximately £9.17 a week or 25p an hour is an embarrassing amount to impose as a pay deal in this time of a cost of living crisis.
"The CWU wrote to RMG in February on the pay deal.
"This was ignored to the point where it couldn’t be ignored any further and rather than look to negotiate, they, RMG went to imposition.
"This is after £400 million had been paid out to shareholders.
"This is above 50 per cent of the £758 million in profits RMG have made."
He continued: "Since privatisation in 2013 over £2billion has left the business.
"We aren’t looking for any more than we deserve, we are looking for a pay deal to look at maintaining a decent, liveable lifestyle.
"No-one wants to or can afford to take this action but doing nothing will condemn us to the depths of this living cost crisis.
"Unless RMG change their mantra and their ignoring of our negotiators, this could be a long drawn out dispute.
"On behalf of the CWU, the Grampian and Shetland Branch and its members, we apologise for the disruption to the public, our customers, our friends & families mail delivery services.
"We want a deal, but we want a fair negotiated deal, not an imposed one."
Local councillor Glen Reynolds joined those striking in Banff and said; "I was proud and privileged to be supporting our local posties along with Cllr Cassie in Banff today.
"It is little wonder that so many posties were taking action, when senior managers and Board Members of the Royal Mail Group have received significant pay rises, bonuses and share options, at a time of a cost of living crisis which has and will impact on so many people.
"It's simply not morally acceptable that people like our local posties are asked to do more for less.
"Greed and obscene payments when others are barely able to pay for food and energy at a time of inflationary spikes has led these community champions to take action because enough is enough.
"People have to take a stand.
"The turnout was outstanding as was the support from passing folk in the town."
