Royal Mail is bringing forward its Christmas delivery deadline for customers amid strikes which the company claims is “holding Christmas to ransom for our customers”.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will be striking throughout December. The strikes are expected to create delays in the delivery of parcels and letters in what is the busiest time of year for the service.

When are the Royal Mail postal strikes in December?

  • Friday, December 9 
  • Sunday, December 11
  • Wednesday, December 14
  • Thursday, December 15
  • Friday, December 23
  • Saturday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)

Nick Landon, chief commercial officer, of Royal Mail, said: “The CWU is striking at our busiest time, holding Christmas to ransom for our customers, businesses, and families across the country.

“We apologise to our customers for any disruption and delay that the CWU strike action is causing. We ask our customers to post early for Christmas to help us deliver Christmas.”

Throughout the strikes, workers have insisted that they are only fighting to protect and improve employee pay, working hours and long-term job security, saying industrial action had been the only option left to them. 

Employees have also spoken about concerns over their pension schemes.

Updated Royal Mail Christmas Delivery deadlines

Final suggested dates to avoid disappointment this Christmas have been updated to limit the impact of strikes this festive season.

The deadline for sending second-class post has been brought forward a week from December 19 to Monday, December 12, and for first class from December 21 to Friday, December 16.