Royal Mail strike - live: Postal workers hold rally in London as walkout causes delays

The area outside parliament was filled with postal workers in pink fluorescent jackets from the Communication Workers Union

Rishi Sunak says government’s pay offers ‘reasonable’ despite strikes

Thousands of Royal Mail workers have gathered for a rally in Parliament Square after walking out in the first of a series of strikes in the run-up to Christmas.

The area outside parliament was filled with postal workers in pink fluorescent jackets from the Communication Workers Union, who earlier said 15,000 Royal Mail workers were expected to attend the rally.

CWU claims Royal Mail imposed a 2 per cent pay increase on members without consultation, with general secretary Dave Ward saying that the organisation is “refusing” to treat employees with respect.

"Postal workers want to get on with serving the communities they belong to, delivering Christmas gifts and tackling the backlog from recent weeks,” said Mr Ward.

"But they know their value, and they will not meekly accept the casualisation of their jobs, the destruction of their conditions and the impoverishment of their families.”

Members of the CWU are planning more strikes in December, including on Christmas Eve. The next will take place on Sunday 11 December. The public has been advised to plan ahead when sending packages for Christmas.

It comes amid a winter of strike action in the UK, including walkouts planned by nurses, ambulance staff, rail workers and Border Force officers.

[9 December 2022 12:30 · Eleanor Noyce]

The one of type of post Royal Mail will be delivering during the strikes

The Post Office has said it is not involved in the dispute between CWU and Royal Mail that will result in multiple strikes across December.

However, it stressed that while branches will remain open, there will be disruption to letters and parcel collections on the dates of industrial action.

Around 1,500 CWU Post Office members took action in August and similar numbers are likely to walk out again next time in a dispute that’s separate from the Royal Mail one.

Staff who deliver cash and supplies to sub-post offices, process finances and work in administration have backed industrial action for more pay.

More here:

[9 December 2022 12:50 · Eleanor Noyce]

Royal Mail says you should post earlier than usual this Christmas

Royal Mail previously asked customers to post their mail earlier than usual for Christmas this year as a result of the ongoing strike action by its workers.

The company brought forward its recommended posting dates for domestic and international mail to help manage any impact from planned strike action by members of the Communication Workers Union on December 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24.

The changes are designed to help the company keep mail moving in the run up to Christmas when mail volumes are higher.

Final suggested dates for sending second-class post were brought forward from December 19 to 12 and for first class from December 21 to 16.

More here:

[9 December 2022 13:00 · Katy Clifton]

Parliament Square rally begins

Hundreds of postal workers have gathered in Parliament Square to mark the first of a series of strike dates by Royal Mail staff.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) hold a rally in Parliament Square (PA)

[9 December 2022 13:08 · Eleanor Noyce]

Striking postal workers brandish placards reading ‘Save Our Royal Mail’ at Parliament Square rally

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are holding a rally in Parliament Square, London, as Royal Mail workers mark another strike in the increasingly bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

Around 15,000 striking workers are anticipated to attend with postal workers from Scotland travelling down to take part.

Striking postal workers brandish placards reading ‘Save Our Royal Mail’ at Parliament Square rally (PA)

[9 December 2022 13:10 · Eleanor Noyce]

Strikes set to escalate in the run-up to Christmas

The wave of industrial action across the country is set to escalate in the coming weeks as more workers walk out in disputes over pay, jobs and conditions.

Members of the Royal College of Nursing will strike on Thursday, December 15, the first national stoppage in the union’s 106 year history, while action will also be held by several other groups of workers.

Eurostar security guards, Highways Agency staff, driving examiners and Rural Payments Agency employees will stop work in the coming weeks.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union at Network Rail and 14 train operators will stage two 48-hour strikes on December 13/14 and 16/17 which will cripple services. The Transport Salaried Staffs Association and Unite is also planning industrial action among its members on the railways.

Alan Jones has more:

[9 December 2022 13:15 · Eleanor Noyce]

Striking postal workers hold coffin reading ‘R.I.P Postman Pat’ at Parliament Square rally

Dave Ward (centre), general secretary of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), joins members holding a coffin with the words "RIP Postman Pat" as they gather for a rally in Parliament Square, London, as Royal Mail workers mark another strike in the increasingly bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

Striking postal workers hold coffin reading ‘R.I.P Postman Pat’ at Parliament Square rally (PA)

[9 December 2022 13:18 · Eleanor Noyce]

Striking Santa rallies at Royal Mail strike in Parliament Square, London

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) hold a rally in Parliament Square, London, as Royal Mail workers mark another strike in the increasingly bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

Striking Santa rallies at Royal Mail strike in Parliament Square (Jonathan Brady/PA Wire)

[9 December 2022 13:21 · Eleanor Noyce]

Demonstrator dresses as Postman Pat at Parliament Square rally

A demonstrator dresses as Postman Pat as striking mail workers and supporters march to Parliament Square on December 9, 2022 in London, England. Royal Mail workers are staging strikes throughout December in an escalating row over pay, jobs and conditions.

A demonstrator dresses as Postman Pat at Parliament Square rally (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

[9 December 2022 13:24 · Eleanor Noyce]

Striking mail workers and supporters attend Parliament Square rally

Striking mail workers and supporters attend rally in Parliament Square, London in fight for better pay and conditions.

Striking mail workers and supporters attend Parliament Square rally (Getty Images)

[9 December 2022 13:26 · Eleanor Noyce]

Air filled with loud music, whistles and colourful flares at Parliament Square rally

Thousands of Royal Mail workers have gathered outside Parliament in central London to mark another strike in the increasingly bitter dispute over jobs, pay and conditions.

Many among the animated crowd are wearing pink hi-vis vests, waving flags and holding placards that read “strike to win” and “save our Royal Mail“.

The air is filled with loud music, whistles and colourful flares.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) was expecting more than 15,000 members to attend the rally, describing it as the biggest postal workers’ demonstration in living memory.