The Communications Workers’ Union said last night it would not allow Royal Mail bosses to “destroy the livelihoods of postal workers”.
The union said workers will strike on December 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24.
The move comes as millions of people celebrating Christmas will be hoping to use Royal Mail to deliver festive gifts and cards to loved ones, as well as order products for parties and dinners. The CWU had already targeted the Black Friday weekend with strikes planned for November 24, 25, 30 and December 1, when shoppers flock to online stores to snap up bargains before Christmas.
A spokesman for the Communications Workers Union said: “The CWU wants a negotiated settlement with the Royal Mail Group and will continue to engage the company to that end.
“But those in charge of Royal Mail need to wake up and realize that we will not allow them to destroy the livelihoods of postal workers.”
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “Our preference is an agreement with the CWU, but the change we need is not optional.
“They should focus on a resolution of this dispute for their members and the long-term health of the business, rather than damaging the strike.”
News of the new strikes comes a day after Royal Mail said talks with the union aimed at averting a strike had been extended.
Royal Mail, the UK arm of International Delivery Services, has been locked in a bitter dispute with the CWU over pay and working conditions, which has led to several days of strikes this year.
Meanwhile, Royal Mail is speeding up plans to scrap Saturday letters by asking the government to consider changing postal laws to allow a five-day-a-week operation.
The postal monopoly, which has a legal requirement under its “Universal Service Obligation” to deliver letters six days a week, is seeking permission for an “early transition to five-day letter delivery”.
As fewer people send letters and parcel deliveries increase due to growing sales of goods online, Royal Mail is trying to push through a series of changes to the way it operates.
The CWU is resisting proposals to change working practices and automate the business to cut costs. Union chiefs have also so far rejected a new pay deal worth up to a 9% rise over the next two years.
Announcing the company’s half-year results on Thursday, chairman Keith Williams said: “The difference between the performances of our two companies could not be starker.
“GLS [a subsidiary of Royal Mail] has adjusted well to inflationary pressures in all its geographies. However, we have been at a crossroads with the CWU in the UK for several months. We are now moving in a clear direction in light of the significant losses at Royal Mail.”
Royal Mail UK’s operations made a loss of £219m in the six months to September 2022 compared with its overseas operations which made an operating profit of £162m.
The end of Saturday’s letters is expected to cause a backlash in Westminster, with MPs on both sides of the political aisle likely to oppose plans to reform the service.
Simon Thompson, chief executive of Royal Mail, said: “We have always been clear that we need change to survive. We have started to turn the business around and we will do whatever it takes. We have worked hard to develop our contingency plans to minimize disruption to customers and impact on revenue.
“Our infrastructure plans are on time and we are now making the operational changes to transform Royal Mail into a thriving business that will deliver an excellent service to our customers at a competitive price and long-term job security for our people. “We would prefer to reach an agreement with the CWU, but in any case we are moving forward with changes to transform our business.”
