Royal Mail workers are starting a 48-hour strike which the retailer warns could bring the Black Friday discount shopping season to a standstill.
The strike action is carried out throughout the country by 115,000 workers represented by the Communication Workers Union (CWU).
Faculty and teaching staff are also walking out in the first of a three-day strike, which affects about 2.5 million students.
Around 70,000 members of the Universities and Colleges Union (UCU) will strike today and Friday, and again next Wednesday, in a dispute over pay, pensions and contracts.
The union has warned of escalating actions in the new year if the dispute is not resolved.
Scotland’s first national school strike since the 1980s is also taking place over pay, with today’s day-long action by members of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) that closes most schools across the country.
Royal Mail’s action is the latest stop in a long-running, and increasingly bitter, dispute over pay and the company’s modernization plans.
The CWU rejected Royal Mail’s “best and final” offer on Wednesday.
The walkouts are deliberately timed to coincide with the core pre-Christmas shopping season, a crucial profit generator for Royal Mail, with strikes also coming on November 30 and December 1, affecting Cyber deliveries. Monday.
More strikes are planned for December 9, 11, 14, 15, 23 and 24.
Retail intelligence firm Springboard has predicted a busy few days as cash-strapped shoppers look to grab some bargains amid the cost-of-living crisis.
It predicted that visits to retail premises on Black Friday will be 12.8% higher than Black Friday 2021.
Fears of delivery disruptions could force more bargain hunters to go in-store rather than online.
The eBay marketplace said a survey of its small business members showed half saw the impact of Royal Mail’s departure as “disastrous” for demand.
Image: eBay survey finds 89% of sellers expect negative impact on sales
eBay UK managing director Murray Lambell warned: “The UK has one of the most sophisticated e-commerce economies in the world, with small businesses thriving by expanding their online retail operations.
“But industrial action risks creating chaos at the worst time for businesses and families.
“Astronomical energy prices, rising interest rates and the backlash of political unrest have made it incredibly challenging for small businesses to operate right now.
“Adding industrial action, which is causing widespread disruption to deliveries and sales, at the most important time of the year for trade, risks being the nail in the coffin for many small businesses.”
Michelle Ovens, founder of Small Business Britain, said: “Small businesses are under incredible pressure right now, with all areas of business under strain and cash flow a huge issue.
“The widespread disruption caused by postal strikes will jeopardize a core sales channel for many small businesses during the critical peak period when every sale counts.
“We must do everything we can to support these companies to recover and grow, and minimize obstacles wherever possible, not put them under more duress.”
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On the bigger picture, Andrew Opie, director of food and sustainability at the British Retail Consortium, said: “Retailers will work closely with their delivery providers on contingency plans to ensure customers can get the products they need, particularly on Black Friday and Black Friday through to Christmas, which is so important for consumers and retail businesses during this difficult time of year.”
The CWU argues that Royal Mail’s proposals mean it is fighting for the very survival of the company as we know it.
It claims the terms on offer would turn Royal Mail into a “economy-style parcel post, dependent on casual labour”.
Royal Mail says it must modernize to survive.
It has wanted to excuse its requirement to deliver letters on Saturdays and wants to be able to deliver more profitable parcels seven days a week.
He says the strikes have cost £100m so far.
Royal Mail’s parent company, IDS, says that without a deal, it could cut IDS’s UK operation and has threatened thousands of job losses on top of the 6,000 that have already gone into consultation.
The union held a vote of no confidence in Royal Mail chief executive Simon Thompson this week.
He said of the company’s offer on Wednesday: “Talks have been going on for seven months and we have made numerous improvements and two pay offers, which would now see a pay rise of up to 9% over 18 months along with a range of ‘other improvements. our best and definitive offer.
“Negotiations involve give and take, but it seems the CWU’s approach is just take. We want to reach an agreement, but time is running out for the CWU to change its position and avoid further damaging strike action tomorrow.” .
CWU general secretary Dave Ward responded: “We are disappointed that instead of reaching a compromise to avoid major disruption, Royal Mail has chosen to pursue such an aggressive strategy.
“We will not accept that 115,000 Royal Mail workers, the people who kept us connected during the pandemic and made millions in profits for bosses and shareholders, will be dealt such a devastating blow to their livelihoods.
“We urge all members of the public to stand their ground and support them like never before.”