UK strikes averted as interim peace deal thrashed out
A two-day UK postal strike has been called off after an agreement between the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Royal Mail management was reached. The third wave of national industrial action was due to start today (6 November) and continue on 9 November.
Royal Mail workers had already carried out five days of national strikes throughout the UK over recent weeks.
An interim agreement was reached that was unanimously agreed by the union’s Postal Executive today. It will provide a period of calm for the CWU and Royal Mail to reach a full and final agreement.
It is now unlikely that any further industrial action will be carried out before Christmas.
The interim agreement guarantees that modernisation will be introduced with agreed job security and improved terms and conditions for postal workers. It also addresses all the issues included in the long running local disputes, say the CWU.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: “There needs to be exceptional efforts to improve trust and relationships between CWU and Royal Mail. As a result both TUC and ACAS will have a continuing role to keep the discussions and agreement on track.”
Mark Higson, managing director of Royal Mail Letters, said: “I’m delighted for our customers and our people that we’ve got back to a sensible agreement with the CWU that will allow us to deliver a great Christmas while getting on with vital talks about the long term future of Royal Mail – and allows us to drive forward with the essential modernisation of Royal Mail in the new year.
“We look forward to positive and constructive discussions on the next stage of Royal Mail’s modernisation plan, which is key to the future of the company, all those who rely on it, and to the future of the Universal Service.”
“I’m extremely grateful to Brendan Barber for the tremendous help and support he has given over the last few weeks. I’d also like to thank all those who have worked so hard to minimise disruption and to keep the mail moving for our customers.”
“I should also add that, as the issue has been raised today, the future of the Royal Mail pension scheme does not and cannot form any part of this agreement. Earlier this year the Government put forward a package of solutions which provided a resolution to the pension issue and would have helped secure our people’s benefits – however the CWU chose to campaign against that package and the Government has since made it clear that it is now no longer available.”
The details of the agreement will be released later.
