UK postal workers say yes to pay deal

Postal workers have voted overwhelmingly to accept a two-year pay offer, ending the threat of national industrial action, it was announced tonight.

Members of the Communication Workers Union backed the deal by 52,438 votes to 22,059 in a 52% turnout.

The deal is worth 2.2%, backdated from last October, and 2.3% from October this year.

The union’s deputy general secretary, John Keggie, said: “This is a significant and important result recognising the challenges and the problems the union and its membership are presently facing across Consignia.

“Other opportunities for improvements to pay through consolidation and future changes being pursued by the business are being discussed by the union’s officers.”

Consignia chairman Allan Leighton said he was “delighted” by the ballot result, adding: “Our people are demonstrating that they understand the dire state of the business, the constraints it places on us in terms of pay and the need to make changes to the way we work.”