This morning I joined picket lines at Hull City Delivery Office to stand in solidarity with posties taking strike action for fair pay.

The UK is facing the most extreme cost of living crisis in a generation, with inflation soaring, economic growth barely existent and the cost of essentials rocketing. As such, many workers are struggling to afford their basic needs, including those at Royal Mail – no wonder they’re taking industrial action.

Royal Mail staff are essential workers. Whether it was delivering test and trace kits or being a point of contact to those isolating, they worked through the pandemic. They also rightly take enormous pride in their jobs, and they are as keen as its management to find a resolution that secures the long-term health of the service. But for this to happen all parties, including Royal Mail’s senior management, must return to the negotiating table to find a fair resolution.

Unfortunately, Royal Mail Chair Keith Williams CBE and CEO Simon Thompson have refused to do this and rejected the CWU’s offer of further talks. Given Royal Mail’s status as a key component of our critical national infrastructure it is vital that the Royal Mail gets back around the table. Until that happens, I’ll be standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our posties.