Postal service has written to CWU warning it will seek high court injunction if it does not withdraw notice of industrial action

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Royal Mail will take legal action against the union representing postal workers if it does not withdraw its notice of a 48-hour strike by Monday.



The Communication Workers Union (CWU) is planning a walkout of 110,000 of its members from 19 October in a dispute over pensions, pay and jobs. Union members voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action in a ballot.

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Royal Mail said it had written to the CWU invoking a “legally binding” external mediation process.

It said in a statement: “Royal Mail requested that CWU withdraw its notification of industrial action and commit to following the dispute resolution procedures.

“If CWU does not withdraw its notice of strike action by 12 noon Monday 9 October, Royal Mail will lodge an application with the high court for an injunction to prevent industrial action.”

The Royal Mail said it believed any strike action before the dispute resolution procedures have been followed would be unlawful. Union members had agreed to back a so-called Agenda for Growth agreement in 2014, which included the dispute resolution procedures, said the company.

If the strike goes ahead it will be the first national action by postal workers since the Royal Mail was privatised.

The union is campaigning against plans to close a final salary pension scheme as well as other issues such as pay and jobs.