There are reports that Royal Mail strikes in Scotland are a possibility.
Workers in the Fife area of Scotland are in talks regarding a strike because the company has apparently threatened to dock pay for days not worked during the snowy period. Apparently Royal Mail bosses have said that workers who didn’t make it into work during recent wintery conditions are at risk of losing pay and holiday entitlement.
During the extreme conditions, the Scottish government and police warned people not to travel during the “red alert” weather warnings due to heavy snow. Royal Mail hasn’t made a public statement on the situation and doubtless will be, understandably, reluctant under the threat of strikes. But it is understood that local members of the CWU union have voted to apply for a strike ballot and say:
We as a union are not prepared to sit back and let Royal Mail treat us like this. We’re hoping all the other branches will apply for a ballot as well and hopefully it will put enough pressure on Royal Mail not to dock our wages.
– Gary Haldane, CWU Dunfermline branch
It seems unlikely that there are any realistically serious threats of Royal Mail strikes in Scotland, if we’re honest, despite hard words from the CWU. But it is clear that relations between postal workers at Royal Mail and the CWU union remain fractious and that is a concern. Strikes were avoided in the run up to the Christmas period and calm heads on both sides thankfully prevailed. Hopefully there are not more future problems in the pipeline.
Edited to add statement from Royal Mail
“Royal Mail has had no official notice of any ballot for strike action. Royal Mail has a clear adverse weather policy for employees who are unable to get into work. Employees should, in the first instance speak to their line manager about any issues. All employees are able to use annual leave or make up the time lost. Employees can also if they prefer take unpaid time off if they are unable to attend work. If a site has been closed by the business or, because of disruption there is no work to be processed or delivered, employees would receive their normal pay.”
– Royal Mail Spokesperson
