(Alliance News) - Royal Mail PLC on Wednesday criticised a union for preparing industrial action, ahead of a ballot of union members.
Royal Mail said the Communication Workers Union is to ballot members to go on strike, with all members to be balloted. The earliest start date for the ballot is September 24.
Over 100,000 Royal Mail workers are members of the union, well over half the company's 162,000 employees.
"We will be urging our colleagues to vote 'no' in the upcoming ballot. Industrial action, or the threat of it, undermines the trust of our customers. It makes it harder for Royal Mail to pay for the existing industry-leading terms and conditions it provides," said Royal Mail.
"Royal Mail is committed to further talks as a matter of urgency. We believe there are no grounds for industrial action. We remain committed to open and constructive engagement with the CWU. We all want a successful and sustainable company that provides good quality jobs, fairness in workloads, and continues delivering a sustainable universal service."
The dispute has flared over implementation of a so-called Four Pillars Agreement reached last year between the union and Royal Mail. The union has claimed a culture of bullying in the workplace had not been tackled, with local CWU officers being disciplined.
Royal Mail shares were 3.8% lower on Wednesday afternoon at 217.70 pence each.