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Royal Mail Strike Dates | Christmas Posting Dates

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Looking for accurate strike dates? If you are an avid online shopper you’ll need to know all about the following Royal Mail strike dates especially in the run up to Christmas…

Whether you are ordering a nice frock in time for your Christmas party, sending gifts across the ocean or you’re ordering the majority of your Christmas presents from online sellers, it’s always best to prepare for any postal delays and get things ordered / sent early.

Royal Mail christmas mail post box

Why are Royal Mail postal workers striking?

Royal Mail workers and members of the CWU (Communication Workers Union) will be holding strikes throughout December to take action against working conditions and the 2021/2022 pay freeze.

Royal Mail postal worker walking down a snow covered street

What are the Royal Mail Strike Dates?

Here are the strike dates we know so far…

  • Friday 9 December
  • Sunday 11 December
  • Wednesday 14 December
  • Thursday 15 December
  • Friday 23 December
  • Saturday 24 December
Royal Mail van

Why are the postal strikes happening at the busiest time of the year?

The days of strike action have been deliberately planned throughout the festive period to create the most disruption and impact. While many have mixed views on the postal strikes, postal workers must make a big impact if they want the outcome of their working conditions and pay to change.

There’s no denying the knock-on effect it will have on the public and businesses during Christmas time but it makes a pretty big statement to those in the UK about the importance of the cause to Royal Mail workers.

The Royal Mail is a service we all use and appreciate so if you want to avoid the annoyance of delayed parcels and letters to loved ones please make sure you order/ post items ASAP before strike begins.

Royal mail postal cart on a path

How will I be affected?

If you are sending parcels to the post office, post boxes or ordering online there will be delays to the delivery process. Make sure you order or send any parcels before the striking dates if you want to receive items ASAP.

Royal Mail lorry on motorway

What is Royal Mail doing in response to the strikes?

Royal Mail have been in talks with the Communication Workers Union for the last 18 months with an offer of a 9% pay rise. This offer was rejected so the CWU are going ahead with the strikes which started in November and will continue throughout December.

The Royal Mail have stated they will try their best to minimise delays and keep people, businesses and the country connected.

What to do on days when national strike action is taking place:

  • RM will deliver as many Special Delivery and Tracked 24 parcels as possible
  • RM will prioritise the delivery of COVID test kits and medical prescriptions wherever possible.
  • RM will not be delivering letters (with the exception of Special Delivery)

What you can do:

  • Post your items as early as possible in advance of the strike dates
  • Continue to post your items at Post Boxes or Post Offices, however collections will be less frequent on days when strike action is taking place.
Royal Mail van

Alternative couriers to the Royal Mail…

There’s no denying there will be a widespread disruption to sending and receiving mail throughout December as the Royal Mail is the UK’s leading postal service. So it’s good to know what other courier services will be working throughout the postal strikes.

Here are some of the other postal couriers you can rely on in the meantime…

  • Evri
  • UPC
  • DHL
  • YODEL
  • FedEx
  • Agility
  • TNT Express (owned by FedEx)
  • Parcel Force
Person posting a letter in post box

We hope you’ve found this article useful and if there’s any important message we need to repeat it: Make sure you order or send any urgent postal deliveries before the strikes!!!

If you are looking for more information-based articles please head to our hub where you can find all our best Tips & Hacks and our informative Parenting articles. We’ve got everything from Best Savings Accounts For Kids to Premium Bonds For Children and more!

If you are looking for things to do over the Christmas period check out our Christmas Events articles. Explore the Manchester Christmas Markets or head to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Located Santa’s Grottos Near Me or find the ultimate Christmas Cake Recipe. We even have gift guides like Stocking Fillers For Kids and Christmas Gifts for the Family.

If you are looking for things to do over the Christmas period check out our Christmas Events articles. Explore the Manchester Christmas Markets or head to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Located Santa’s Grottos Near Me or find the ultimate Christmas Cake Recipe. We even have gift guides like Stocking Fillers For Kids and Christmas Gifts for the Family.