Rotherham postal workers walk out in pay row

STRIKING postal workers protested outside Rotherham’s town centre sorting office today in a row over pay and conditions.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are taking industrial action over the next two weeks, with more walkouts planned next Wednesday and on September 8 and 9.

Up to 115,000 Royal Mail staff are understood to be taking part in the action, which will affect postal deliveries.

The CWU wants a pay increase closer to the rate of inflation, with an offer of five per cent deemed unacceptable.

Assistant secretary Andy Furey welcomed an increase in the company’s pay offer earlier last week but said: “We are a long way behind the latest retail price index inflation rate of 12.3 per cent and therefore we cannot recommend this offer to our members.”

Royal Mail told customers to expect “significant disruption”, adding in a statement: “We’re really sorry for the disruption that this strike action is likely to cause.

“Royal Mail has well-developed contingency plans, but they cannot fully replace the daily efforts of its frontline workforce.

“We will be doing what we can to keep services running, but customers should expect significant disruption.”