Royal Mail has issued a statement as the long-running dispute over pay, pensions, jobs and conditions continues.
Postal workers who are members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) walked out again on Friday in an increasingly bitter dispute over pay and conditions. Following Friday's strike, the CWU formally notified Royal Mail they plan to take national strike action on Wednesday, November 30 and Thursday, December 1.
Further strikes have also been planned by the CWU later in December. They are on:
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- Friday, December 9
- Sunday, December 11
- Wednesday, December 14
- Thursday, December 15
- Friday, December 23
- Saturday, December 24
On Friday, Royal Mail chief executive Simon Thompson said: "Talks have lasted for seven months and we have made numerous improvements and two pay offers, which would now see up to a 9% pay increase over 18 months alongside a host of other enhancements. This is our best and final offer.
"Negotiations involve give and take, but it appears that the CWU's approach is to just take. We want to reach a deal, but time is running out for the CWU to change their position and avoid further damaging strike action tomorrow.
"The strikes have already added £100 million to Royal Mail's losses so far this year. In a materially loss-making company, with every additional day of strike action we are facing the difficult choice of whether we spend our money on pay and protecting jobs, or on the cost of strikes.
"The CWU's planned strike action is holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses and families across the country, and is putting their own members' jobs at risk."
A CWU spokesperson said: "Millions of customers and thousands of small businesses rely on the quality services Royal Mail workers provide at Christmas. But Royal Mail bosses are ignoring those responsibilities and ploughing ahead with plans that would wreck the livelihoods of their entire workforce.
"We call on the government, media and all small businesses to demand that Royal Mail takes a mature approach to this dispute. Thousands of workers aren't striking at Christmas for fun - they want to reach an agreement.
"But they won't be walked all over and have their lives ruined by the reckless, careless behaviour of the employer. Until Royal Mail sees some sense, this dispute will carry on."
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