Two days of all-out postal strikes in Britain today and Monday have been called off after alast-minute agreement between Royal Mail and the CWU union that will prevent widespread delays for
business and private letters.All 121,000 postal workers across the UK were scheduled to have gone on 24-hour strikes onthe two days in what would have been the latest escalation of the long-running dispute, which hasgrown from a regional to a national dispute in recent weeks.
Under the deal agreed last night, the two sides agreed on a ‘period of calm’ until the end ofthe year to gain time for in-depth negotiations over the Royal Mail modernisation plans under anindependent mediator and to prevent a damaging impact on the economy in the run-up to Christmas.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, who mediated the latest talks, said: “The agreementreached today is, I think, a very important step forward. But it is a long way from the end of theroad. Over the next period an immense amount of hard work is going to be needed in Royal Mail andthe CWU to hammer out the final agreement on the way forward in a company that is facing a periodof dramatic change.”
Mark Higson, Managing Director of Royal Mail Letters, said: “I’m delighted for our customersand our people that we’ve got back to a sensible agreement with the CWU that will allow us todeliver a great Christmas while getting on with vital talks about the long term future of RoyalMail – and allows us to drive forward with the essential modernisation of Royal Mail in the newyear.
“We look forward to positive and constructive discussions on the next stage of Royal Mail’smodernisation plan, which is key to the future of the company, all those who rely on it, and to thefuture of the Universal Service,” he added.
The CWU said the interim agreement was unanimously agreed by its Postal Executive yesterdayand it had thus called off the postal strikes planned for November 6 and 9. The interim agreementguarantees that modernisation will be introduced with agreed job security and improved terms andconditions for postal workers. It also addresses all the issues included in the long running localdisputes, the union pointed out.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: “There is no doubt that the strength ofsupport from postal workers in the strikes has made Royal Mail think again. They have madesignificant concessions this week that are clear for everybody to see. Those concessions haveallowed us to suspend strike action and work towards a full and final agreement.”
He added: “There needs to be exceptional efforts to improve trust and relationships betweenCWU and Royal Mail. As a result both TUC and ACAS will have a continuing role to keep thediscussions and agreement on track.”
