The next national rail strikes will begin this week, with those of Royal Mail Macclesfield on Jordangate taking part.

140 postal workers in Macclesfield took part in October's strike. There will be four nationwide strikes in seven days, starting tomorrow.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) have confirmed that its members will take to the pickets on December 9, 11, 14, 15.

David Kennedy is Communications Workers Union Branch Secretary, who represents over 2400 postal workers for Cheshire postcodes like SK and WA. 

He told Macclesfield Nub News why so many mail deliverers are walking out for the six days.

"There was an overwhelming vote of 97% in July to strike action in pursuance of the union's claim for pay", he said.

"Once again, it is again the backdrop of the company [Royal Mail] in holding a 2% increase of the workforce without reaching an agreement with the trade union. 

"Which basically means they imposed a 2% pay increase on the work force without agreement with us, significantly lower than current inflation levels. 

"The Union's claim is for a rise that meets the cost of living crisis. The 2% they have had imposed on them doesn't come anywhere close to that kind of figure. 

"Our members are not immune to current inflation rates. They can see the pay being eroded at the same time that the money earned is returning an overall profit of £758 million pounds.

"Royal Mail need to recognise that postal workers are extremely angry. What we are seeing across the Royal Mail and other trade union industries, there is this elitist greed.

"Postal workers can see the levels of corporate greed, and these are the people that frankly create the profit on behalf of these executives that are pocketing the money. 

"And that is why we are here again."

The dispute will mean you can't post letters or parcels for 48 hours, so if you're expecting something in the post then, hold your horses.

Royal Mail recently released this statement on their website "Following several months of talks between Royal Mail and Communication Workers Union, including ACAS facilitation, Royal Mail has shared a best and final offer for pay and change.

"The revised offer includes extensive improvements that have been made during the negotiations with the CWU, including an enhanced pay deal of 9% over 18 months and a number of other concessions to terms and agreements. The offer is subject to agreeing a programme of change with the CWU.

"We're urging CWU leadership to accept the change and pay offer, call off future damaging strike action, for the good of our customers and our people. We apologise to our customers for the inconvenience the CWU's continued strike action will cause. We are doing all we can to minimise delays and keep people, businesses and the country connected.

To find out when you can't and can't post, please click here.

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