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Postal strike deal struck

22/10/2007

Fears of a repeat of this month's chaos in the postal system appear to have been eased after union chiefs ratified a deal to end the crisis.

In a statement posted on the Communication Workers Union's (CWU) website it was announced that the dispute between Royal Mail and the union had been settled.

"The CWU's postal executive has today ratified the national agreement between Royal Mail and the CWU and a national joint statement," the statement read.

"The agreement settles all areas of the dispute and will be subject to an individual members' ballot."

The agreement follows a week of talks between the union and Royal Mail bosses after a deal was provisionally struck last weekend.

Workers had planned a series of staggered strikes last week to maximise disruption, but these were called off after the initial agreement.

Union bosses had been unwilling to accept an earlier pay offer put forward by Royal Mail on the grounds that it contains "unacceptable strings", including a reduction in pensions benefits.

It had also previously attacked Royal Mail's modernisation plan, which it fears will result in the loss of 40,000 jobs.

However the postal service provider insists the changes are necessary in order for the company to remain competitive following the liberalisation of the postal market.

It is understood the latest deal gives postal workers a pay-rise of 6.9 per cent over two years.

More details about the agreement are expected to emerge later today.