Royal Mail workers form picket line outside Oldham depot as ‘summer’s biggest strike’ gets underway
26.08.2022 - 12:47
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Royal Mail workers have formed a picket line outside the delivery office in Oldham on the first day of this summer's 'biggest strike'.
More than 100,000 postal workers are expected to have walked out today (Friday) in a dispute over pay. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said its members are taking industrial action for a 'dignified, proper pay rise' after they voted in favour by 97.6 per cent in a ballot.
The strike today will be followed by more walkouts on Wednesday, August 31, Thursday, September 8 and Friday, September 9. The union said bosses 'imposed' a 2 per cent pay rise on employees - who were classed as key workers in the coronavirus pandemic - which it insists is not enough to keep up with the soaring cost of living.
READ MORE: More rail strikes expected as Northern and TransPennine Express drivers vote for industrial action
Pictures taken outside the depot on Hamilton Street in Oldham this morning showed around 20 workers on the picket line. Strikers held banners reading 'ON STRIKE FOR FAIR PAY' and 'HONK IF YOU BACK US'.
Zaf Khan, now an executive at the CWU, has worked as a postman in the area for 31 years. Speaking from the picket line today, he said the support had been 'excellent'.
"The support from our members in Oldham is at 100 per cent", he told the Manchester Evening News . "The support has been excellent from the public, everybody has been driving past and beeping for our members."
Mr Khan added: "This is the first strike over pay since 1971. I think with the day-to-day costs of living, the 2 per cent is horrendous.
"The long terms plans for the company will deteriorate the service and this is about protecting the service for the public. We are not opposing change or taking this lightly,