Royal Mail and Union Agree to End Saturday Second-Class Post by Year-End
Royal Mail has reached a significant agreement with the Communications Workers Union (CWU) to eliminate second-class letter deliveries on Saturdays across the UK by December 2026. This deal resolves a prolonged dispute regarding the rollout of Universal Service reforms, which will shift second-class delivery to every other weekday. The agreement allows the expansion of these changes from a pilot program in 35 offices to the entire network of 1,200 delivery offices. In exchange, Royal Mail has committed to financial improvements for staff, including a 4.75% pay rise for newer employees and a 3% increase for those on legacy contracts. Additionally, new hires will operate under standard 37-hour working weeks, and approximately 6,000 part-time workers may increase their hours. Royal Mail CEO Alistair Cochrane stated that this reform is essential for ensuring a financially sustainable and efficient postal service. The move follows regulatory approval from Ofcom and addresses ongoing concerns about service reliability and the prioritization of parcels over letters, which had previously led to accusations of chaotic operations within the postal network.
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Royal Mail and Union Agree to End Saturday Second-Class Post by Year-End
Royal Mail has reached a significant agreement with the Communications Workers Union (CWU) to eliminate second-class letter deliveries on Saturdays across the UK by December 2026. This deal resolves a prolonged dispute regarding the rollout of Universal Service reforms, which will shift second-class delivery to every other weekday. The agreement allows the expansion of these changes from a pilot program in 35 offices to the entire network of 1,200 delivery offices. In exchange, Royal Mail has committed to financial improvements for staff, including a 4.75% pay rise for newer employees and a 3% increase for those on legacy contracts. Additionally, new hires will operate under standard 37-hour working weeks, and approximately 6,000 part-time workers may increase their hours. Royal Mail CEO Alistair Cochrane stated that this reform is essential for ensuring a financially sustainable and efficient postal service. The move follows regulatory approval from Ofcom and addresses ongoing concerns about service reliability and the prioritization of parcels over letters, which had previously led to accusations of chaotic operations within the postal network.
The Standard