About 115,000 postal staff at Royal Mail are to stage a 24-hour strike on 16 February of their persevering with dispute with administration over pay and circumstances.

The strike will have an effect on all shifts for twenty-four hours from 12.30pm that day, the Communication Staff Union (CWU) stated.

The union stated it had referred to as the strike after Royal Mail started forcing via adjustments to work practices at workplaces throughout the nation that had not been agreed.

The CWU added that the adjustments instantly contravened the commercial relations framework between the union and Royal Mail, and that they eliminated the proper of the union to barter at an area stage.

Dave Ward, the CWU common secretary, stated: “This motion is right down to the conduct of Royal Mail administration, who’ve displayed a whole lack of integrity. Our members is not going to simply sit again and watch as their working lives are destroyed by an organization management hell-bent on ripping up historic preparations that defend their rights and provides them a voice via their union.”

It’s the newest transfer in what has turn into a bitter and protracted row between the union and Royal Mail over pay and dealing circumstances.

Royal Mail expressed disappointment, and stated it remained dedicated to talks. It urged the union to withdraw the strike “for the great of our clients and our folks”.

A Royal Mail spokesperson stated: “We entered facilitated talks via Acas in good religion, believing that the CWU had been severe of their declare that they wished a decision. In asserting additional damaging strike motion, the CWU have proven they aren’t serious about resolving this dispute and proceed to concentrate on damaging our enterprise additional.

“The CWU’s misguided perception that additional industrial motion will take away the necessity for change and drive an improved provide is deceptive its members, and risking their long-term job safety.”

Royal Mail’s chief govt, Simon Thompson, has come beneath assault by his predecessor, Rico Again, for his dealing with of the dispute. Again stated Thompson lacked expertise and had mishandled talks with the CWU that led to strikes and chaos within the run-up to Christmas.

Thompson faces a uncommon recall to parliament to reply extra questions from MPs over the accuracy of proof he gave to the enterprise choose committee final month in a generally testy alternate.