Post Office two-day walkout next week

Workers vote to strike

Isle of Man postal workers will stage a two-day strike next week.

Members of the Communications Workers' Union will walk out on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 December.

Earlier the result of the ballot to strike saw ninety-three per cent vote 'yes', with there being a ninety-one per cent turnout.

Those percentages translate to one hundred and ninety-two workers casting their vote, with 179 voting 'yes' and 13 'no'.

The dispute is over what the union terms an "outrageous attack on their job security, pensions and terms and conditions of employment".

The CWU has also offered the opportunity for "intense and genuine" negotiations at the start of next week "in the hope that common sense will prevail and an agreement can be reached".

93% VOTE FOR POSTAL STRIKE ON 91% TURNOUT – ISLE OF MAN 🎉#FightingForTheFuture #TheCWU

Read the full story here: https://t.co/XXyTQxyhNm pic.twitter.com/gxHe8MpRVj

— The CWU (@CWUnews) December 4, 2018

Amid reports of industrial action in November, Post Office chair Julie Edge expressed her disappointment at the CWU prospecting for membership, insisting it would be 'highly damaging to everyone at the Post Office' and its customers.

The Post Office Board went on to say it respected the concerns of its workforce, given the experience of difficult trading conditions.

 "It is in everyone's best interests" Ms Edge said "to conclude negotiations in a timely manner and hopefully reach an agreement. It is important to stress the Post Office continues to be open to further talks with the CWU at any time."

Ms Edge has given her reaction to news of the ballot: