Union ‘denying democracy’ with postal strike during election

The Postal Union attempted a "denial of democracy" when they 'unlawfully coerced' Royal Mail workers to strike during the upcoming general election.

 

Royal Mail is trying to obtain an injunction against the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in order to avoid a large-scale strike action which would see millions of postal ballots uncounted.

 

Bruce Carr QC, representing the Royal Mail, warned the High Court that this level of industrial action could see candidates winning seats that they would not have otherwise won. He stated, "The union will want to cause as much pain as it can to get the employer to buckle, knowing full well there will be huge pressure towards Royal Mail if there is any possible risk to the democratic right to exercise postal voting."

 

He claimed that the CWU arranged a "de facto workplace ballot" where members were encouraged to intercept their ballot papers and vote at work.  Within this arrangement, there was more pressure for each member to vote 'yes' than there would be if they were to vote privately, it was suggested. 

 

Current procedures at Royal Mail state that employees cannot open their mail at delivery offices, without their managers prior authorisation. 

 

Conservative MPs suggested disruption to postal voting could increase Labour's chances of success and leave the result of the election open to legal challenge. 

 

Statistics show that elderly are more likely to vote by post as nearly half of Tory voters are over 65. Lawyers for the CWU claimed that there was no evidence to suggest that there was interference with the ballot. 

 

Chairing the case, Mr Justice Swift expects to provide his ruling on Wednesday. If the Royal Mail win with their case it is believed the CWU will not have sufficient time to strike before the December 12 election.