Royal Mail workers to strike in October in huge row over pensions

Royal Mail workers will strike in October in a huge row over pensions, pay and jobs, it has been confirmed.

The walkout will take place for 48 hours from noon on October 19.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) confirmed the news on Thursday after voting for industrial action – the first since the Royal Mail was privatised four years ago – earlier this week.

The union's deputy general secretary, Terry Pullinger, expressed disappointment that the strike would take place after 18 months of negotiations with Royal Mail, claiming management had "moved away from the spirit and intent of our agreements".

Royal Mail hit back, saying: "We believe any strike action before the dispute resolution procedures have been followed would be unlawful strike action.”

Mr Pullinger said: "It is highly disappointing that after 18 months of negotiations including external mediation that we have reached this point.

"Royal Mail Group management have clearly moved away from the spirit and intent of our agreements and the empty promises of privatisation, and have suffered a huge vote of no confidence from their employees and CWU members as a consequence.

"People are extremely angry and will now express that by overwhelmingly supporting this strike action in order to shift Royal Mail Group from their entrenched position, protect themselves and this great public service."

The union said the strike will involve around 110,000 workers across the UK.