ROYAL Mail postal workers have voted in favour of strike action following a row over pensions and pay. 

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) announced on Tuesday (October 3) that 89.1 per cent of its 110,000 members gave their backing for strike action after 73 per cent of members cast their votes.

It is the first nationwide strike ballot since the introduction of the Trade Union Act which requires strike votes to have a 50 per cent turnout. 

A spokesman for the CWU said the postal executive will meet later this week to discuss possible strike dates. 

Dave Ward, CWU general secretary said: “This is a fantastic result for our members and indeed the wider trade union movement.

"As the first union to test the Trade Union Act we have passed with flying colours.

"The mixture of a fantastic campaign, led by Terry Pullinger and the Postal Executive, a brilliantly innovative communications strategy and an inspirational ground force has returned a resounding result.

“The CWU have tapped into a mood amongst workers in across the UK. Our members are prepared to stand up and fight to protect their terms and conditions and we will do everything within our means to defend them."

Earlier this year, the Royal Mail announced that it would be stopping its defined benefit scheme in March 2018. 

The company, which was privatised in 2013, claims that its current annual pension contribution of £400 million would swell to £1.26 billion. 

The CWU said that the vote was sparked by 'the company’s attack on the pension rights of hard-working postmen and women and the refusal of the employer to engage seriously over pay, working hours, future job security and the need to improve and grow the service to the public.'

A spokesman for Royal Mail said the company is 'very disappointed' that postal workers have voted in favour of taking industrial action and said they want to reach an agreement with the CWU.

"A ballot result for industrial action does not necessarily mean there will be industrial action. Royal Mail is committed to further talks as a matter of urgency, to reach agreement with the CWU.

"There are no grounds for industrial action.

"We want to reach agreement.

"Post Office is a separate business from Royal Mail and its employees are not involved in this dispute.
"In 2013, Royal Mail and the CWU committed to the Agenda for Growth (AFG) – a legally binding agreement.

"Royal Mail has brought to the CWU’s attention the contractual dispute resolution procedures included in the AFG, which both sides are required to follow once instigated.

"They escalate to independent external mediation, which we expect will take close to Christmas to be completed, and may be longer. We believe these dispute resolution procedures must be followed.

"The union cannot take industrial action until they have been completed.

"Industrial action is damaging for our business. It undermines the trust of our customers.

"It makes it harder to pay for the great terms and conditions we provide for our employees."

The spokesman said that if industrial action goes ahead current pension offers will be taken off the table.

But Terry Pullinger, CWU's deputy general secretary said the ballot result is 'hugely significant and that it demonstrates a vote of no confidence in the management of the Royal Mail Group. 

“Any sense of vocational spirit and working together with management has been lost in a climate of fear and insecurity," Terry said. 

"This massive failure in trust has created a break down in relationships and a toxic environment where working together to solve difficult problems has become almost impossible.

"The managerial leadership has failed and should resign or be sacked.

“This is a dispute about honour and we refuse to simply stand aside.”