Royal Mail's continued failure to accept reality has damaged services, demoralised workers, and let down the country. Postal workers and communities need government intervention to save this vital public service.

Over a third of self-employed parcel drivers say they earn less than the minimum wage. 📦 A new University of Sheffield report compared two major UK parcel companies: one that directly employs its drivers under collective bargaining, and one that relies on self-employed couriers. The difference was stark. CWU General Secretary Dave Ward said: “Those who are self-employed face huge disadvantages compared to properly employed workers in terms of pay, working hours and employment conditions.” The government is now consulting on tackling bogus self-employment. The CWU will be pushing for robust measures and enforcement to end the race to the bottom in parcel delivery, and equal rights for every worker in the sector.

How much worse do things have to get before the Government steps in to save our Royal Mail?

For too long, bogus self-employment has allowed companies to drive down labour costs, shift risks onto workers and deny them decent pay and proper protections. It also allows parcel operators to undercut Royal Mail and companies that directly employ their staff, creating an unfair playing field that rewards bad employers. The government's consultation published today is an important step forward in a campaign the CWU has fought for years and welcome news for thousands of workers who deserve better. We will press the government to introduce robust, non-negotiable rules that close loopholes, protect workers’ rights and create a level playing field across the world of work.

Unless Royal Mail faces up to its self-inflicted recruitment and retention crisis, it is on the brink of collapse. For years, we have had select committees, promises of £500 million improvement plans, a broad array of agreements and threats to improve from Ofcom. Royal Mail is in serious need of a business vision that provides dignified work for employees and quality service for consumers and communities.