At a time when receiving greeting cards and letters are proving to be a godsend, especially for those in self-isolation and adhering to the social distancing advice, the news that Royal Mail workers (the Communication Workers Union [CWC]) had voted unanimously in favour of a national postal strike sent shudders down the spine.
Thankfully sense and sensibility have come to the fore and the strike action – which 94.5% of CWC voted in favour of (rejecting a 6% pay rise over the next three years) – has offered a truce to Royal Mail.
Shane O’Riordain, Royal Mail’s managing director of regulation, corporate affairs and marketing welcomed the CWU’s climb down on the strike front recognising “that now is not the time to take industrial action”.
Royal Mail has now officially been classed as providing one of the ‘emergency services’.
As Shane added, “The postal service is a key part of the UK’s infrastructure at this time. We are delivering, as usual, to communities across the country. The delivery of parcels and letters is a key way of keeping the country together and helping many people who may not have the option to leave their homes.”
With Post Offices being one of the few retail types of businesses allowed to remain open, due to the ‘essential’ service they provide, they will also become important greeting card stockists during this lock down period.
Top: The calling off of the strike action by CWU means that cards can continue to be delivered during the lockdown.
