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Postal strike called off

09/08/2007

Tonight's looming postal strike has been called off after the disputing parties agreed to further talks.

Royal Mail and the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) issued a joint statement saying tonight's strikes, which were due to begin at 19:00 BST and last for 24 hours, would not take place.

Instead talks on the disputed issues between the two sides would be hosted by the Trades Union Congress, with agreement to be reached by September 4th.

The CWU said the joint statement meant "detailed discussions will take place on all the relevant issues between the two parties".

While Royal Mail undertakes to not serve notice or "take any unilateral action to impose changes by executive action" under the statement, the CWU agrees to suspend industrial action.

Both sides reserved the right to "review the process as and when [is] necessary", however.

At the centre of the dispute are Royal Mail's modernisation plans, which union leaders claim will result in the loss of up to 40,000 jobs.

Earlier this week the CWU claimed that Royal Mail chiefs had revealed in negotiations that the first stage of the company's modernisation plan will be implemented on August 13th, a charge denied by the postal operator.

The union claims that plans involve "significant changes including later delivery start times and permanent reductions in customer services" and represent an "unnecessary attack on postal workers' jobs, pay and conditions".

"All Royal Mail have to do is take a step back and engage in meaningful negotiations," said CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward.

However Royal Mail claims that the union is "ignoring the harsh commercial reality" of the UK postal market, which was recently opened up to full competition.

The postal services provider insists that modernisation is necessary because it is losing business to rivals who have more efficient operations and lower prices.

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