The Lancaster MP has shown her support for striking postal workers by joining them on the picket line in the city.
Cat Smith joined postal workers outside the Lancaster depot yesterday as thousands around the country began a 48-hour strike after talks between the Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union ended with no agreement.
Industrial action will also take place today (November 25) with further stoppages planned for November 30 and December 1, 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24, affecting the busy Christmas period of deliveries.
Ms Smith said: "The way our posties have been treated by Royal Mail is a disgrace.
"They’re striking over the imposition of an unsatisfactory pay award and proposed massive changes to their working patterns and terms and conditions."
A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: "Royal Mail has well-developed contingency plans, but we cannot fully replace the daily efforts of our frontline workforce. We’ll be doing what we can to keep services running, but we are sorry this planned strike action is likely to cause you some disruption.
"On Monday October 31, Royal Mail proposed a new conditional pay-for-change offer to the Communication Workers Union (CWU) worth 9% for CWU-grade colleagues which includes a 7 per cent salary increase over two years, plus a lump sum payment of 2% of pay this year. The offer is subject to agreeing a programme of change with the CWU. The CWU claim they are open to change but they now need to show it. We’re urging CWU leadership to accept the change and pay offer, call off future damaging strike action, for the good of our customers and our people. We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience the CWU's continued strike action will cause. We are doing all we can to minimise delays and keep people, businesses and the country connected."
On days when industrial action is taking place, Royal Mail said they will deliver as many Special Delivery and Tracked 24 parcels as possible, prioritise the delivery of COVID test kits and medical prescriptions wherever possible, and will not be delivering letters (with the exception of Special Delivery).
They have asked people to post your items as early as possible in advance of the strike dates, and continue to post your items at postboxes or Post Offices, however collections will be less frequent on days when strike action is taking place.
The CWU has rejected the offer of a seven per cent pay rise
“Everybody knows there’s more than enough money for a reasonable pay rise and it’s time for those at the top of the Post Office to show real respect for dedicated public servants who, as key workers, provided unprecedented customer service during the pandemic," said Andy Furey from the CWU.
“The determination of these people – whose efforts generated millions of pounds in profit – hasn’t swayed, and they won’t accept their living standards being smashed.
“We urge management to see sense, get into real negotiations and cut a fair deal to avert strikes.”
A postal worker said on the CWU North Lancs and Cumbria Facebook page: "Please don't believe that the Royal Mail strike is about a pay rise.
"That comes into it but its more about our terms and conditions being stripped away. I've worked for Royal Mail for 38 years and have made so many lovely friends on my delivery and collections. We would never want to do you wrong and I always do all I can and always will. We have our hands tied and a choker round our necks. I'm coming to the end of my career but I feel so sorry for the younger generation. Please support your postal worker."
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