Royal Mail strike action August bank holiday weekend: how will it affect Birmingham and what has CWU said?

Royal Mail workers who are members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are set to strike over the August bank holiday weekend, with the industrial action also set to impact Birmingham.

The strike action is the latest in a series planned by the CWU in an effort to improve the pay of Royal Mail workers.

Around 2,000 Crown Office, Supply Chain and Admin grade workers will stop work for the day on Friday, 26 August on the same day as around 115,000 postmen and women from all parts of the UK begin their own industrial action.

Both strikes are, according to the CWU, in pursuit of a fair pay rise for hard-working and dedicated staff.

Crown Office staff will continue their action on 27 August, and their Supply Chain and Admin colleagues return to their picket lines on Tuesday, 30.

How will Birmingham be affected by the strike?

The Crown Post Offices located in Birmingham are set to be impacted by the strike action on both 26 and 27 August.

Workers at the Crown Post Offices in Birmingham and Redditch will be involved in the industrial action.

What has the CWU said about the strikes?

CWU assistant secretary Andy Furey said: “We’re as determined as we have ever been to keep fighting and win a settlement that will protect our members’ standard of living through these exceptionally difficult economic times.”

He added: “At a time when inflation is almost 12 per cent, a pay deal worth just three per cent over two years is incredibly insulting – it’s actually a huge pay cut in real terms.

“Our members cannot and will not accept this massive lowering of their living standards – and their anger and determination have become stronger and stronger as this dispute has worn on.”

What has Royal Mail said about the strikes?

Royal Mail has issued a statement to customers apologising for the disruption that will be caused by the industrial action.

A spokesperson said: “The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has called on its members who collect, sort and deliver parcels and letters to take strike action on 26 and 31 August and 8 and 9 September 2022.

“We’re really sorry for the disruption that this strike action is likely to cause to you.

“We want to reassure you we will do everything we can to minimise disruption and get our services back to normal as quickly as possible.

“Royal Mail has well-developed contingency plans, but they cannot fully replace the daily efforts of its frontline workforce.

“We will be doing what we can to keep services running, but customers should expect significant disruption.”