As a manager declared a fictitious double-digit pay increase for staff, Royal Mail issued an apology for the “tone deaf” April Fools’ joke.
A banner that announced an 11% wage increase amid the cost-of-living issue seems to have been posted last Saturday at the Royal Mail Gloucester North distribution office.
Communication Workers Union (CWU)-affiliated posties have gone on a string of strikes in protest of their salary and working conditions.
But the poster got striking workers’ hopes up as it claimed Royal Mail and the union had reached a breakthrough.
‘We are pleased to announce that agreement has been reached,’ the poster read.
The joke sign said an 11% pay rise ‘backdated to April 2022’ would take into effect from Friday.
![PIC FROM Kennedy News and Media (PICTURED: THE POSTER ANNOUNCING THE PAY RISE - THAT TURNED OUT TO BE AN 'APRIL FOOLS' PRANK' ) Royal Mail bosses have been forced to apologise after a manager announced a huge pay rise for 'stressed-out' striking staff - only for them to realise it's a 'nasty APRIL FOOLS' PRANK'. The letter claims Royal Mail and the Communication Worker's Union (CWU) have 'reached an agreement' after months of strikes over pay. The letter details a breakthrough pay rise of 11 per cent, backdated to April 2022, to be paid on Tuesday [April 4] and boasts about staff being allowed to use their own cars for deliveries DISCLAIMER: While Kennedy News and Media uses its best endeavours to establish the copyright and authenticity of all pictures supplied, it accepts no liability for any damage, loss or legal action caused by the use of images supplied and the publication of images is solely at your discretion. SEE KENNEDY NEWS COPY - 0161 697 4266](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/SEI_150758633-bde5.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&zoom=1&resize=540%2C789)
Some 10,000 ‘telegram boys’ would also be hired and a ‘brand new fleet of diesel vans and bicycles to replace electric vans’, the poster joked.
In reality, Royal Mail is set to axe more than 10,000 jobs by August while also not replacing staff who leave.
For months, the CWU has accused Royal Mail of plans which include cuts to workers’ terms and conditions, introducing compulsory Sunday shifts, cutting sick pay, three-hour delivery delays and inferior terms for new employees.
‘Please feel free to share on social media and tell all your CWU colleagues,’ the poster added.
The poster was pinned up only days after the CWU said it was preparing to announce even more industrial action as pay talks continue to stall.
Royal Mail postal carriers on social media tore into the poster, branding the manager a ‘horrible human being’ and ‘unprofessional’.
One said: ‘No managers should be making jokes at our expense with what they have been part of, April Fools’ Day or not.’
Another added: ‘Jesus Christ. I mean that’s mildly funny but read the room man.’
‘I ain’t laughing,’ a third postie said. ‘They should be conducted. Horrible human being.’
On Twitter, a user wrote: ‘Royal Mail pulling April fools prank on us postman, this is all a big joke to them isn’t it, we are just getting the piss taken out of us.’
CWU was also less than impressed by the poster. ‘For many Royal Mail employees, the workplace is now a completely toxic environment where nasty, tone-deaf “jokes” such as these are considered culturally acceptable,’ a spokesperson said.
Royal Mail and the manager behind the poster have both since apologised for the stunt.
A Royal Mail spokesperson said: ‘We apologise for any upset caused by this misjudged April Fools’ joke at one of our delivery offices
‘The poster was removed and the local manager has apologised.’
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