Joint Statement – Royal Mail Group and the CWU

You will be aware via different communication strands of the business and the CWU, that we have agreed a Joint Statement which represents the most significant and positive first step in nearly two years to resolve our dispute.

We are acutely aware that this is a first step and that there is a huge amount of work to be done, however it was essential, given where we have been and with a new RMG leadership in place, that we established a high level Joint Statement which demonstrates that both parties are serious about moving forward together.

The re-commitment of the new RMG leadership to the following terms is a significant step in the right direction:

Develop a joint strategy for the future of the business.
Develop a joint strategy to protect the USO.
Develop jointly the opportunities to minimise letter decline.
Develop jointly opportunities for diversification to build upon our essential service key worker status.
Completely take off the table the proposals to make Parcelforce a separate limited company, removing the TUPE threat to our members.
Re-commitment to all our agreements, including the Four Pillars agreement and our legally binding protections.
Commitment to resolve all issues in dispute.
Commitment to resolve the 2020 pay award.

Colleagues will be aware that Royal Mail Group face many challenges, most of which are anticipated in our agreements. Recent events have accelerated the need for a response and we need to move matters on whist we concentrate on resolving our dispute and the wider strategy issues detailed above.

Against that backdrop you will note that the 600 local disagreements are now removed and we will conduct new local revisions across all functions. The detail on the approach will be worked out over the next two weeks but will take account of the ongoing impact of COVID-19. Such activity will require a new attitude from all involved and a genuine approach to finding and agreeing mutual interest solutions.

In the same time frame, to determine the approach to interim revision activity, we will also resolve the 2020 pay award.

Finally, there is no question that this positive first step would not have been achieved without the unwavering support and hard work of all our Representatives and members. For that reason, any sense of achievement should be shared by all.

Yours sincerely,

Terry Pullinger

Deputy General Secretary (Postal)

Dave Ward

General Secretary