Royal Mail and CWU push back talks deadline

The direct mail industry is on tenterhooks, following the extension of the 4 September deadline for talks between the Communication Workers Union (CWU) strike and Royal Mail.

Following four weeks of talks, in which strike action was suspended, this recent round of negotiations has been given until 9 September to broker a deal.

The extension until Sunday will then be followed by a further meeting on Monday. Neither party is commenting on the progress of the talks until then.

CWU campaign manager John Colbert told printweek.com: “There is a complete communications ban concerning these talks until Monday at the earliest.”

This summer’s strike action was a response to the Royal Mail’s modernisation plan and disrupted mail deliveries across the country and further action will cause more misery to direct mail companies.

The CWU claims Royal Mail’s plans will result in a permanent reduction in customer services and is an attack on postal workers’ jobs, pay and conditions.