Royal Mail managers doing huge amount of unpaid overtime – Unite

Unite members are being balloted for industrial action in a dispute over jobs.

Alan Jones
Wednesday 15 June 2022 16:09 BST
(PA)
(PA) (PA Archive)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Managers at the Royal Mail – currently being balloted for industrial action over threatened job losses – are working huge amounts of unpaid overtime, their union is claiming.

Unite said a survey of 1,000 of its Royal Mail manager members showed they are giving the company almost 8,000 “free” hours every week.

Around 2,400 managers are being balloted for strikes and other forms of industrial action, with the result due at the end of the month.

Unite says there are plans to cut hundreds of jobs alongside a redeployment programme it believes will hit terms and conditions.

We committed to protect pay for all managers who will stay with Royal Mail and the vast majority will see an increase in their earnings.

Royal Mail spokesperson

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “While the boardroom is awash with profits, Unite’s Royal Mail managers are effectively holding the business together on unpaid overtime.

“Yet again, another UK business is being jeopardised by the misguided priorities and boardroom greed. Unite will continue to oppose these attacks on our members every step of the way.”

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that Unite have informed us of their intention to ballot operational managers when the lengthy consultation on these changes has concluded, and the restructure is complete.

“We committed to protect pay for all managers who will stay with Royal Mail and the vast majority will see an increase in their earnings.

“As part of an extended consultation period, we gave managers the option to request voluntary redundancy with a package of up to two years’ salary and this was over-subscribed.

“This ballot is not an announcement of industrial action and we will continue to engage with Unite as we have throughout the process.”

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in