The Communications Workers Union (CWU) could be able to stop the Royal Mail from using temporary workers as “strike breakers”, according to David Israel, partner at legal firm Wedlake Bell.

Postal workers are in the midst of a 48-hour strike, with further industrial action planned for next week.

A spokesperson for CWU told Recruiter that the union was seeking legal advice. “We have sought legal advice from John Hendy QC and we are compiling evidence. We have not launched the legal challenge at the moment.”

Bell told Recruiter: “The CWU may get the sympathy of the Courts if they can establish that temporary workers have been brought in to undertake the duties of those who are currently striking, certainly without Royal Mail first formally resolving the employment status of those who are on strike.  

“Although the number of temporary workers hired by Royal Mail appears to be much greater than usual, it does not necessarily follow that these temporary workers will be undertaking to the duties of those striking - there would appear to be no problem with the temporary workers assisting in the clearing up of the back-log of post after the strike has ended.”