Royal Mail workers in Bootle, Merseyside, will strike from 18-20 January, to protest the victimisation of a local union rep.
There had previously been wildcat action at the same depot in October, when workers struck to defend a Muslim workmate against racist abuse from a manager. The strike subsequently spread to an office in Warrington after a driver from that office was suspended for refusing to cross the Bootle workers’ picket line. The strike lasted for a week, until workers were forced back to work by a court order.
Since the strike, management have intensified an authoritarian workplace culture, with nine workers facing gross misconduct charges.
Meanwhile, CWU reps nationally continue to discuss relaunching a national ballot over a raft in issues in Royal Mail, after last year’s overwhelming vote for action fell victim to a High Court injunction.