ISBA warns Royal Mail as industrial action looms

Marketing trade body ISBA has called on the Royal Mail and union chiefs to settle their differences or risk direct mail members joining the growing number of companies that have moved business away from the postal service.

The comments come as the Royal Mail and Communication Workers Union (CWU) continue with talks aimed at averting a national strike planned this week.

ISBA says if strike action is not avoided, companies could move their business away permanently and turn from direct mail to email.

David Ellison, ISBA’s marketing services manager, says the strikes have already “undermined” the relationship its direct mail members have with the Royal Mail with alternative delivery services “becoming increasingly appealing”.

As Marketing Week went to press, Royal Mail and CWU were locked in a second day of talks ahead of the announced action on Thursday and Friday.

News of the discussions came as it was revealed Royal Mail plans to hire 30,000 temporary staff to clear the backlog caused by the strike and deal with the Christmas period.

The industrial unrest has prompted John Lewis, Amazon, eBay and Argos to discuss using alternative delivery services.

Research carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Research for Kelkoo has estimated that a nationwide strike could cost UK businesses £1.5bn in lost revenues, with the cost to the retail sector about£270m.