Postal unions ramp up the pressure
Amid signs that talks between the Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union are deadlocked, a new wave of strikes has been announced for next week. Today saw 77,000 postal workers on strike and next Friday and a week on Monday will see a total of 120,000 workers taking up the offer of industrial action. As we approach Christmas time the pressure is building on both parties but the unions appear adamant they will not back down and the Post Office management is not willing to be steamrollered into backtracking on their reconstruction proposals.
All in all, there are many parties which will suffer the longer the post office strike goes on which include the Royal Mail, postal workers, businesses, the government and consumers. Indeed the only parties that will benefit are the private postal companies which have seen a significant rise in new business and new business enquiries over the last few weeks.
Many people are surprised that the situation has been allowed to fester for so long and indeed despite the fact that the UK government is working behind the scenes there is little sign of an agreement in the short term. Each time the parties move anywhere near a potential agreement, either the Royal Mail management or the union pullback and reconsider their positions.
Not only will it have a significant impact upon the UK economy but as we approach the next general election it does not reflect well on the Labour Party.
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