Yesterday (20 July), IDS announced that GLS boss Martin Seidenberg would take up the new position of group CEO at IDS, and would be making the crucial decision about who would become the new Royal Mail CEO.

In response to the news, the CWU said Seidenberg’s appointment was “cautiously welcomed” and it awaited further news on who would take over from Simon Thompson at Royal Mail.

However, the union warned of ongoing workplace issues at the postal operator despite its members’ recent acceptance of the Business Recovery, Growth & Transformation agreement.

In a joint statement, general secretary Dave Ward and acting deputy general secretary (postal) Andy Furey said: “The truth is though, this is not a time for words. It is a moment for actions. If we do not see a complete shift from the attitudes and approach of the current senior management team then this company has no future.

“We are now well beyond the fall out from an industrial dispute. We are into the territory where the strategy of the company’s current leadership is destroying quality of service and the universal service obligation, has completely eroded the trust of the workforce and put Royal Mail in the most serious position in its 500 year history.”

The duo said that the union’s plans included “putting forward CWU solutions to turn around the fortunes of the company”.

“We are going to organise, recruit and drive the positive change we want to see in every workplace.”