Pensions Consultative Ballot Result – Next Steps

The Union is pleased to announce that CWU members have overwhelmingly rejected Royal Mail’s pension reforms. 

The full result is as follows:-

Pension Consultative Ballot Results

Ballot Papers Issued:                                           140,800
Ballot Papers Returned:                                         86,230
In support of Rejection:                                          79,387            (92%)
Against Rejection:                                                     6,763            (  8%)

Overall Return:                                                (61%)

We would like to thank all Branches for their efforts in carrying out the workplace ballot, in what we know were difficult circumstances over the Easter holiday period. 

The result is a good platform for the Union to move forward.  Royal Mail know the outcome means we have entered a new phase. 

Next Steps

In conjunction with the ballot result the Postal Executive have taken decisions to step up our industrial and political campaigns as follows.

We have agreed to ballot our members for industrial action.  However, before setting a timetable, we will give Royal Mail a final opportunity to reach an acceptable resolution.  The Postal Executive has also agreed to explore with UNITE (Royal Mail managers Union) areas of common interest to move the pension debate forward.

We have agreed that our immediate priority is to intensify the political campaign.  Within the next week we will be writing to all MP’s, MEP’s and members of the House of Lords setting out the Union’s position and why we believe government policies must be challenged.  Similar communications will also be sent to devolved government bodies.

In the same timeframe we will commence the campaign in local constituencies.

The Union’s Political Campaign Committee will meet on the 7th April to consider any further steps necessary to intensify our political activities.

As you are aware Royal Mail have imposed pension reform changes as from today.  The Postal Executive is firmly of the view that with the right industrial and political campaign Royal Mail’s position will be changed.

The Postal Executive will be meeting again within the next two weeks to assess progress and determine the additional steps required in line with the polices outlined above.

In the meantime, Branches must ensure the content of this LTB is communicated to all workplaces as soon as possible.

Any enquiries on political issues should be addressed to the GS Department.  Any enquiries on industrial issues should be addressed to the DGS (P)’s Department.  Further information will be circulated to Branches and individual members in due course.

Yours sincerely

Billy Hayes                                            Dave Ward

General Secretary                                       Deputy General Secretary (P)

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