The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has said it will be announcing the results of a new strike ballot across the whole of Royal Mail Group next week.
The ballot will be for renewing the previous six months’ mandate for strike action, which is legally required under the 2016 Trade Union Act.
If successful, the ballot may lead to the announcement of further industrial action by over 115,000 people against attempts by Royal Mail’s senior leadership to turn the company into an Uber-style gig economy operation, the union said.
On Tuesday, the CWU announced that postal workers would no longer be going on strike later this month following a legal challenge by Royal Mail. The one-day walk-out on February 16 was set to involve 115,000 posties and sorting office staff in response to a dispute over pay and working conditions.
However, union bosses decided not to fight the legal challenge, citing the risk that losing in court could impact a new strike ballot. Royal Mail, which is owned by stock market-listed International Distributions Services PLC (LSE:IDS) had challenged the industrial action on the grounds of a "legal error" related to the reasons for the strikes.
The union stated Tuesday that it would re-enter negotiations with Royal Mail this week but said if talks fail it will significantly step up the programme of strike action.
Workers are demanding more pay due to inflation and are opposing Royal Mail's proposed changes to working conditions, including compulsory Sunday work.