ROYAL Mail workers in North Wales have been striking today (October 20) as part of an extended period of walk-outs concerning pay and working conditions disputes.

Today’s strike was focused on an improvement in terms and conditions for workers, as staff who are all members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) gathered at a picket line by the post office in Mold on Earl Road.

A total of 18 strikes are planned between today and December 2, including on Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November 25 and 28 respectively).

A couple of workers, who said they have worked for Royal Mail for 16 and 25 years, criticised the company’s chief executive, Simon Thompson, who they said has been unwilling to negotiate with staff.

According to one of the postmen, Royal Mail wants to change their start and delivery times, to bring in people on fewer terms and conditions, to change national agreements, and use technology to conduct people.

The postman, who asked not to be named, said: “They want to manage people out of the business, basically, and bring people in on fewer terms and conditions.

“Morale is horrendous at the moment. They’re trying to blame us for them losing money, when we’re the same people doing the same jobs.

“Nobody wants to strike, but they want to impose the changes without talks.

“We’re not stupid, we know you have to change some parts of your job, but you should do it with negotiation, and take the staff with you, instead of imposing it on you, and saying you’re not working hard or long enough, you’re overpaid and underworked.

“It’s only really since the beginning of the year that they suddenly decided they wanted to attack our terms and conditions, rip up all our agreements and impose whatever they want on us. They want to run the company into the ground.

“All through the pandemic, we all carried on and helped the country through, and now we’re just being attacked.

“We’re always willing to talk about changes, but the chief executive doesn’t turn up for meetings, and has said he won’t be doing so anymore, and that we’ll have to deal with people he sends, who will report back to him, but he vetoes anything they agree on.

“It feels like we’re not getting anywhere with him. We need someone who is willing to sit down, discuss the situation and sort out the issues.

“There seems to be an intimidating management structure now, whereas before, we used to work together. There’s constant pressure on us.”

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The second postman said he feels he deserves more respect from a company who he has worked for for a quarter of a century.

He said: “We will lose money; £50 to 80 a week, because they want to take all of our changes and agreements off us.

“It’s terrible working for Royal Mail at the moment. We’re willing to change, and we’ve got to give a bit to get a bit back, but at the end of the day, the CEO is not turning up (to talks).

“I’ve dedicated 25 years to Royal Mail; I think I deserve a lot more respect for what I’ve done. We’re undervalued; we didn’t go off through the pandemic, we were there, on the frontline.

“The chief executive is blanking us. We just want to be treated fairly. When I joined Royal Mail, I loved the job; it was brilliant. Now, it’s all privatisation and profit.”

CWU general secretary, Dave Ward, condemned Mr Thompson’s “hostile and bizarre behaviour”.

He added: “Instead of sitting down and sorting out his problems like an adult, Simon Thompson chose to be a vanishing act instead.

“When someone like him earns £62,750 a month and can give himself six-figure bonuses, it is a disgrace that he sees it fit to disrespect our members in such a way.

“Simon can’t dodge the reality that a mood of rebellion is sweeping postal workers who won’t accept Thompson’s hostile and bizarre behaviour.

“Postal workers go above and beyond every day, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

“We won’t be backing down until we get just that.”

In response, a spokesperson for Royal Mail urged the CWU to enter into talks with the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, having been invited to do so four weeks ago.

It follows the company revealing it lost more than £200million in the first half of 2022.

The spokesperson said: "On Friday, October 14, we announced losses of £219m in the first half of the year. This, once again, demonstrates the urgent need for Royal Mail to change.

“Further strike action would materially increase our losses for the full year and may necessitate further operational restructuring and job losses.

"Four weeks have passed since we invited the CWU to enter talks with Acas to resolve the change and pay dispute.

“We once again urge the CWU to join us in Acas talks. This is the only way to reach a resolution and secure Royal Mail's future and jobs for our people.

"We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience the CWU's continued strike action will cause. We are doing all we can to minimise delays and keep people, businesses and the country connected."

The next Royal Mail strike is due to take place on Tuesday, October 25.