Royal mail strikes: will managers work to rule over jobs dispute - what has Unite union said?

A planned work-to-rule industrial action by Royal Mail managers has been suspended, the Unite union has confirmed.

Workers were originally set to work-to-rule from Friday 15 July, however the it has now been suspended after proposals were made by bosses in hopes of ending the dispute over jobs and pay.

Managers will be ballot on whether to accept the proposal.

Unite have said that Royal Mail plans to cut 542 jobs, as well as scrapping a redeployment programme in favour of worsening terms and conditions.

Union members within the company voted in favour to strike, with 86% backing the move. This figure was higher in Northern Ireland, where 89% of members voted in favour.

When will the strike take place?

Originally, Unite confirmed that Royal Mail managers would undertake industrial action from 15 until 19 July.

The workers were due to follow a work-to-rule industrial action, which means that the minimum hours and output are observed and no extended hours or overtime takes place.

While this industrial action has been suspended, a strike planned for 20, 21 and 22 July is still due to go ahead.

However Unite has said that this is dependent on the outcome of the ballot and whether the proposal is accepted.

What has Unite said?

After Royal mail managers voted in favour of striking in late July, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is no surprise at all that these workers have voted overwhelmingly for industrial action.

“Make no mistake, Royal Mail is awash with cash – there is no need whatsoever to sack workers, drive down pay or pursue this ill-thought-out redeployment programme.

“These plans are all about boardroom greed and profiteering and nothing whatsoever to do with securing this vital public service.

“Shareholders have been seizing the Royal Mail profits, while our members have been holding the service together. Enough is enough.

“Our Royal Mail members are guaranteed Unite’s 100% support in any industrial action they take this summer to get the company off this ruinous path.”

What has Royal Mail said?

Upon the news that managers would be balloted on whether to accept a proposal on jobs and pay from Royal Mail bosses, the company said: “We are pleased that, following collaboration with Unite, they have decided to suspend their planned work to rule industrial action and will now ballot their members with a recommendation to call off all planned industrial action.”