News

Royal Mail Group fears that more strikes in London over jobs and services could push key clients to look elsewhere for parcel couriers.

In response to the threat of industrial action by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in July, Royal Mail states: "The strike action can only hurt customers and drive them away."

According to the CWU, action in London will be taken  by delivery staff on 8 July, distribution employees on 9 July and mail centre workers on 10 July.

The potential strike follows industrial action in London and Scotland on 19 June against the firm's modernisation plans. However the part-privatisation of the business is unlikely to occur until after the summer.

"The fact is that 20% fewer items are being delivered in central London each day compared to two years ago, while efficiency lags behind the rest of the UK, with productivity in some parts of the capital around 35% below the best UK units," a Royal Mail spokesman says.

The group argues it is "simply asking" for the union to honour existing agreements on modernisation and changes in working practices.

Competition has arisen from firms such as courier website Parcel2Go.com,  which claims the first three weeks of June were booming as customers looked for an alterative mode of delivery ahead of the 19 June strike.

Royal Mail says: "Particularly at risk is our online fulfilment and packets business – which is crucial to ensuring a successful future for Royal Mail and its employees and to securing the universal service."