CWU and Royal Mail design and provide work wear for women

A motion to the communications CWU union’s 2017 annual conference explained that Royal Mail’s footwear was unisex and instructed the union’s executive to negotiate with the company to recognise the difference between men’s and women’s feet and work towards the introduction of gender-specific footwear.

“Following discussions with the business, several types of shoes, boots and trainers — from sizes 2 to 7 inclusive — are now being tested by female staff and we are looking forward to receiving their feedback and jointly reviewing the exercise,” CWU outdoor secretary Mark Baulch reported.

From September 2018, women workers at Royal Mail can choose from two new female-fit tops when reordering uniform. Following trials at 26 workplaces and feedback from hundreds of volunteer testers, a tailored blouse and new Royal Mail “sholo” — a polo/blouse combination — are now available. A joint Royal Mail/CWU working group worked on a project to design the new uniform.

CWU Katie Dunning (West London Postal Branch) is part of the group and told the union’s Voice magazine: “It’s an important step towards equality in the workplace that Royal Mail women won’t have to endure uncomfortable and ill-fitting uniform going forward.”

For more information see the CWU website at: https://www.cwu.org/news/new-workwear-royal-mail-women.