Tag: Communication Workers Union – CWU

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.

There are signs that the two sides could be edging towards a deal that could resolve the pay dispute and remove the threat of nationwide industrial action. The Communication Workers Union may settle for an agreement that gives its members less than the 5 per cent annual pay increase they had originally demanded. It could, at the same time, push for a deal over a longer period. Consignia, which has already raised its offer to a basic rise of 2.1 per cent – plus another 0.7 per cent with conditions attached – was considering whether to revise its offer again in order to avert a damaging strike.

A national march and demonstration by the Communication Workers Untion is to be held in London on 16 March to warn the public of the dangers to the postal service of increased competition.

Consignia’s interim chair-man warned yesterday that it would be “catastrophic” for the embattled re-named Post Office if its employees were to strike. “There is nobody in this organisation who really wants to strike, because everyone understands how catastrophic it would be for the company,” Allan Leighton said.