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Change and Resistance in the Royal Mail: Dispatches from the 2022/2023 Postal Workers’ Strike

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Evans

    (Swansea University, UK)

  • Karl Jones

Abstract

This article presents the experiences of ‘Karl’, a veteran postal worker and trade union organiser. Karl’s story outlines the impact of the myriad changes that have happened to the postal service and to the working life of postal workers since the privatisation of the Royal Mail in 2013. Karl highlights how new technologies – typically associated with the ‘gig economy’ – have permeated a formerly ‘low tech’, ‘traditional’ sector and have been used to intensify the labour process and discipline the workforce. Karl outlines the profound impact these changes have had on the postal workforce: eroding their autonomy, destroying their ‘leisure in work’ and affecting their physical and mental health. Karl’s story also demonstrates the persistence of the ‘public service ethos’ in the Royal Mail despite privatisation. Workers argued that the ‘modernisation’ of the postal service had in fact led to the neglect of the universal mail service and the attendant erosion of the historic community function and status of the postal worker.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Evans & Karl Jones, 2025. "Change and Resistance in the Royal Mail: Dispatches from the 2022/2023 Postal Workers’ Strike," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 39(5), pages 1269-1279, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:woemps:v:39:y:2025:i:5:p:1269-1279
    DOI: 10.1177/09500170251336938
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stephen Mustchin, 2017. "Public sector restructuring and the re-regulation of industrial relations: the three-decade project of privatisation, liberalisation and marketisation in Royal Mail," Industrial Relations Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(4), pages 294-309, July.
    2. Gill Kirton & Cécile Guillaume, 2019. "When Welfare Professionals Encounter Restructuring and Privatization: The Inside Story of the Probation Service of England and Wales," Work, Employment & Society, British Sociological Association, vol. 33(6), pages 929-947, December.
    3. David Parker, 2014. "Privatisation of the Royal Mail: Third Time Lucky?," Economic Affairs, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(1), pages 78-84, February.
    4. Miguel Lucio & Mike Noon & Sarah Jenkins 2, 2000. "The Flexible–Rigid Paradox of Employment Relations at Royal Mail (UK)," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 38(2), pages 277-298, June.
    5. David Beale & Stephen Mustchin, 2014. "The bitter recent history of employee involvement at Royal Mail: An aggressive management agenda versus resilient workplace unionism," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 35(2), pages 289-308, May.
    6. Gregor Gall, 2001. "The Organization of Organized Discontent: The Case of the Postal Workers in Britain," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 39(3), pages 393-409, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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