Post Office workers strike over ‘degrading’ pay offer after 2021 wage freeze | Business News

The Post Office says the vast majority of its branches will remain open as union members stage a one-day strike in a dispute over pay.

The larger crown post offices were tipped to see the worst disruption by the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which secured a vote in favour of industrial action last month.

The union said the strike is over a pay freeze for 2021 and the offer of a 2% increase from April this year, alongside a £250 one-off lump sum.

Union officials described the offer as “exceptionally poor” as the UK suffers from its highest level of inflation for 30 years and have accused the Post Office of failing to engage in meaningful talks to resolve the dispute.

CWU official Andy Furey said: “The current offer of a mere 2% pay rise over two years is nothing short of an insult to these key workers who provided exemplary services to this nation during the pandemic.

“As the cost-of-living crisis mounts, working people across the country are facing stark realities.

“This isn’t any less true of Post Office employees, who deserve far better than the degrading offer currently on the table.

“Post Office management need to understand that by undervaluing these workers, they have provoked real anger across the country.

The dispute involves counter staff, as well as those in clerical, administration and call centres.

A Post Office spokesperson reponded: “We have been notified by the CWU that they have instructed their members to take strike action on Tuesday May 3.

“We want to assure our customers that the vast majority of our 11,500 branches are unaffected by this decision and will remain open throughout the day.”