PLAID Cymru MS for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Mabon ap Gwynfor, joined striking postal workers on the picket line outside the Royal Mail Delivery Office in Dolgellau last week. 

Members of the Communications and Workers Union (CWU), which represents many Royal Mail workers, are striking regarding an unagreed two per cent pay deal.

Unions say this has been imposed without agreement and fails to take account of rising inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.   

Mr ap Gwynfor MS: “I joined local postal workers on the picket line in Dolgellau to show my solidarity, as they fight for better pay and working conditions.

“Plaid Cymru are fully supportive of industrial action by Royal Mail workers. They provide a key service which millions of us rely on every year and should be suitably compensated for their work.

“Their importance was clearly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic when workers were on the frontline delivering essential goods to households in Wales and the rest of the UK.

“The union has an overwhelming mandate to pursue this strike action following an 97.6 per cent vote in favour on a 77 per cent turnout.

“Our postal workers deserve a fair and just remuneration settlement. They should not have to accept a deterioration in their living standards.

“I therefore fully support their calls for a pay rise that matches the increase in cost of living, but more importantly, I support their calls to keep their current working patterns which is vitally important in a rural area like this.

“It cannot be right that they are expected to deliver mail in the middle of the night in wintery conditions in these remote communities.”

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Liz Saville Roberts, Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP, added: “With the cost of living crisis showing no sign of abating and with energy prices going through the roof, wages must keep up with inflation or workers will face real terms cut in their earnings.

“Postal workers should not be made poorer during a cost of living crisis, particularly when Royal Mail announced group profits of £758 million last year.

“I appeal to Royal Mail bosses to respect the right of postal workers to engage in mandated legal action in pursuit of legitimate goals.

“They are exercising their right to protest against a below inflation pay increase and threats of modernising reforms.

“Ultimately, the privatisation of Royal Mail has failed.

“Plaid Cymru believes this key utility should be brought into Welsh public ownership and run in the interests of our communities, ensuring workers receive dignity at work with fair wages and working conditions.”