LONDON, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- British post office workers will decide whether to authorize a strike for higher pay and a renewed guarantee against closings, union leaders said Friday.
Dave Ward, deputy general secretary of the Communications Workers Union, accused Post Office Limited, which is now part of the Royal Mail, of leading a "race to the bottom," The Guardian reported. He said the 4,000 members who work in the branches directly owned by Post Office, will be polled for a strike vote.
While managers have been offered a 2.25 percent increase and directors' pay increased, Post Office is still bogged down in negotiations on an increase for rank-and-file workers, the union said. The government is trying to privatize the Royal Mail and has made no move to extend an agreement against closings that expires in April.
"POL's [Post Office Limited] attitude is about driving a race to the bottom on terms and conditions for staff and further downsizing the post office network," Ward said. "The company has no vision -- and, worse still, appears to have no desire -- to give staff a fair and just pay settlement or to work towards a sustainable post-office network."
