UK postal workers union suspends strikes as it considers Royal Mail offer

The Communication Workers Union said it has suspended industrial action planned for later this week, as its executive continues to discuss the agreement reached with Royal Mail late on Friday.

Drivers and workers at the Heathrow sorting centre were due to walk out in a series of 24-hour strikes in the latest stage of their dispute over pay and job cuts.

Earlier this month deliveries were severely disrupted when more than 100,000 postal workers staged two 48-hour walk-outs in opposition to Royal Mail’s modernisation plans, which include cutting 40,000 jobs, reforming the company’s pension scheme and limiting pay rises.

The union said its executive was continuing to discuss the outline agreement from Royal Mail, which is thought to include a 6.9 pct pay rise over 18 months.