In a landmark deal agreed last week with the Communication Workers Union, Royal Mail has promised to try to reshape the company and its working practices without making compulsory redundancies. It is not confirmed how many jobs it intends to cut as a result of the modernisation agreement. The company employs nearly 193,000 staff across all its businesses, including the Post Office.
A CWU spokesperson said of the agreement: “It increases job security because of the assurances that we’ve got for the ratio of full-time to part-time and it allows the company to modernise and be more competitive.”
Many of the cuts are likely to happen as Royal Mail shuts mail centres across the country. The Crewe centre, employing 900 staff, is due to shut this summer and it is unclear how many staff will transfer to Warrington 20 miles away.
The union has agreed to changes in working practices, including introducing walk sequencing machines, to cut delivery preparation times and the abolition of short working days on Saturdays. Delivery staff will be entitled to more Saturdays off in return. All staff affected will receive pay rises adding up to 6.9 percent over the next three years and £400 once the union’s membership accepts the agreement. They will also receive £1,000 each after changes are carried out in their workplace. Further bonus payments are also payable.