Industrial relations

Last updated: 11 July 2023

 

Royal Mail is pleased that members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have voted in favour of the Royal Mail/CWU Business Recovery, Transformation and Growth Agreement. 75.84% of eligible CWU members participating in the ballot voted in favour of the agreement.

The agreement provides Royal Mail a platform for the next phase of stabilising the business whilst continuing to drive necessary changes. The changes in the agreement are designed to be good for customers, increasing our ability to improve services and quality; good for employees, retaining job security and giving people a pay rise; good for the environment, reducing the company’s reliance on domestic air, further reducing carbon emissions; and supporting the long-term sustainability of the business.

We are now working with the CWU to deliver the transformation activity in the agreement and implement the changes agreed.

Key information

Below are a range of FAQs regarding Parcelforce Worldwide services during the period of industrial action.

Collections

Will you be doing scheduled collections from account customers on days of industrial action?
Scheduled collections will take place on days of Industrial Action for express24 and International items on a best endeavours process.

Will you be taking ad hoc collection bookings on days of industrial action?
Ad hoc collections are suspended on days of Industrial Action. Ad hoc collections will be available following Industrial Action days subject to review.

When will normal collections resume?
Collections will resume following strike days, some delays may be experienced.

 

Last updated: 28 December 2022

Services

Will you be collecting express24 items on days of industrial action?
express24 items will be collected on days of Industrial Action on a best endeavours process. There will be no delivery guarantees for any week containing industrial action.

Will you be collecting express48 items on days of industrial action?
express48 will not be collected on days of Industrial Action. Delivery guarantees will be suspended for any week containing Industrial Action and delivery windows may vary.

Items posted on or just before strike days are likely to be subject to some delay.

Will the timed guaranteed services of express9, express10, expressAM and expressPM still be operating?
They will be treated as an express24 and there will be no guarantee on express24 service. There will be no delivery guarantees for any week containing industrial action.

Can I claim if an item is not delivered on time?
Delivery guarantees will be suspended for all services (including express24) for any week containing industrial action.

What days can I expect delays / disruption?
There are no planned strikes at present.

express24 & 48large
expresslarge services will be suspended on strike days 

Can I switch my express48 items to express24?
On strike days we kindly request you refrain from switching your traffic to ensure we can prioritise existing express24 items for you in this period.

I have express24 and 48 items, will both be collected?
express24 items will be collected on days of Industrial Action on a best endeavours process. There will be no delivery guarantees for any week containing industrial action.
express48 will not be collected on days of Industrial Action. Delivery guarantees will be suspended for any week containing Industrial Action and delivery windows may vary.

 

Last updated: 8 March 2023

Post Office

Are Post Office branches open on days of industrial action?
Post Office branches will be open on strike days. Customers will be able to access the usual services at Post Office branches. 

Will you be collecting from Post Office branches on days of industrial action?
Please be aware that collections from Post Office branches will be limited on strike days so items are likely to be subject to delay. 

I usually drop my business mail/parcels off in sealed bags – can I take it to a Post Office branch on days of industrial action?
If you usually take sealed bags to a Royal Mail drop off point or to the Post Office, you can take this to a Post Office branch on strike days. Please be aware that collections from Post Office branches will be limited on strike days so items are likely to be subject to delay. 

Can customers redirect items to a Post Office for collection on days of industrial action?
Customers can request items are delivered to their local Post Office branch.

Although Post Offices will be open on strike days, the deliveries to them may be limited. Customers should check their notifications for confirmation their items has been delivered to the Post Office before going there to collect it. 

Can resellers access Post Office?
Yes, any reseller can access Post Office branches.

Customer Service Points

Will customer service points be open on days of industrial action?
Yes, they will remain open but inflgiht items can not be collected.

Direct trailers

What happens with direct trailers on days of industrial action?
Direct trailers will be prioritised on strike days to ensure we provide the best service possible.

Redelivery

Can I arrange redelivery?
Redeliveries will be suspended for all services on strike days.

Service features

Will a delivery window still be available?
Customers will be notified when their item is out for delivery, but delivery windows will vary for any week containing Industrial Action.

 

Last updated: 13 December 2022

Depots

Can I drop my items off at depots?
Yes, depots will be open for dropping off parcels. However hubs aren't able to accept parcel drop offs.

Can I collect items from my local depot?
Yes, depots are open for collecting items. There could be potential delays.

We are experiencing higher than normal volumes of customers collecting items from customer service points in our depots. Please be prepared to wait while we locate your item(s).

 

Last updated: 23 December 2022