UK postal workers launch 1-day strike

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – Post Office workers in Britain started a 24-hour strike on Monday over pay as inflation hit the record levels in the country.

The strike action came after the members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) rejected a pay raise of 3% for the 2022-23 period despite the worst inflation that the UK has seen in decades. The pay offer was accompanied by a one-off lump sum payment of £500 ($594) but included no increase for the 2021-22 financial year.

As a result of the strike, 57 of 114 post offices in busy locations had to remain closed.

The CWU assistant secretary, Andy Furey, said: “The blame for this disruption lies entirely with the senior Post Office leadership, who have repeatedly failed – and willfully refused – to set out a sensible and fair pay agreement.”

“Everyone knows that the only solution is a fair pay rise that properly rewards members for their extraordinary efforts in serving the public and delivering a profitable Post Office, while also taking account of the extreme cost of living,” he added.

“There most certainly is money available, but management does not want to give workers their fair share.”

The postal workers are the latest professional group to strike over pay within the past months after railway workers and criminal barristers.