CWU industrial action at Royal Mail

Hornsey & Wood Green residents will know I’ve long been raising concerns about the management of Royal Mail and the lack of investment back into local services and staff.

Ahead of industrial action by the CWU and Unite this summer, I met with CWU local reps this month to listen to their concerns.  They deserve fair pay for their hard work and investment back in local services.  It’s time Tory Ministers did their jobs and got Royal Mail round the table with a decent offer to avoid these strikes.

I’ve sent the local CWU branch this message of support for their action:

“Thank you for everything you do, keeping our community connected during the worst days of COVID and the hottest days of this summer. 

I know how hard your job is and how much you’re valued by our local community.  When Hornsey & Wood Green was hit with terrible postal delays over the past two winters, hundreds of residents contacted me.  Without exception they told me they loved their local postie – their anger was with Royal Mail bosses who’ve let you down and let residents and businesses down.

If Royal Mail can afford to give £400 million to shareholders and hand out £2 million in executive bonuses, they can make sure workers get the fair pay and decent conditions you deserve.  It’s a disgrace that Royal Mail bosses are refusing to get round the table and negotiate with the CWU to sort this out, and shameful that Tory Ministers are missing in action when it’s their failure to tackle the cost-of-living crisis and their record of 12 years mismanaging our economy that has left costs soaring for working people. 

I’ve already met with CWU reps locally to let you know – in person – that you have my full support for your action.   I’ll keep using my platform in Parliament to campaign for decent pay, conditions and local investment in postal services.”

In solidarity,

Catherine West MP
Labour MP for Hornsey & Wood Green