Postal strike called off to allow vote on pay deal
POSTAL WORKERS have called off a threat to strike after a tentative deal was struck yesterday to end a long-running pay dispute.
Members of the Communication Workers Union had been due to walk out on Wednesday, in the first nationwide stoppage since 1996, but the strike was called off because negotiators for staff and management reached an agreement in talks at the conciliation service Acas. Consignia offered a pay rise of 2.2 per cent, backdated to October 2001, and a further 2.3 per cent from October 2002, as well as other benefits. Workers will now vote on the two-year deal.
John Keggie, the union’s deputy general secretary, said: “We are delighted at the outcome of the mediation process. It has been a long and difficult set of discussions.”
Changes to delivery patterns would be dealt with separately from pay negotiations, the union said.
The deal reaffirms the intention of both sides to achieve a minimum wage of pounds 300 a week for postal workers.
Mr Keggie said: “This is a victory for common sense. Our members have shown great restraint and this shows how much we value public support.”
Copyright: Independent Newspapers(UK) Limited
