More postal strikes loom
A FRESH wave of national strikes by postal workers will be held by the end of the month unless a bitter row over pay and conditions is resolved, union leaders have announced.
Talks aimed at resolving the dispute ended at the weekend without agreement and union leaders have warned Royal Mail were about to implement changes to the conditions of postal workers.
The Communication Workers Union said: “Despite being committed to further talks and being determined to reach an agreement, CWU will announce further strikes to be held prior to the end of September.”
Local union leaders said later start times for Royal Mail workers could be the “spark that will set the flame” of further strike action.
Peter Hall, assistant branch secretary of the CWU Cleveland branch said despite an improved pay offer, Royal Mail’s determination to go ahead with modernisation plans which will lead to the loss of up to 40,000 jobs, was still a major issue.
Royal Mail is now offering a two-year deal worth 6.7%, according to the union.
But officials complained that the organisation was sticking to rejected proposals on pensions including increased employee contributions and later retirement age.
Mr Hall claimed Royal Mail had imposed later start times on workers, which amounted to a change in contracts without their consent.
Mr Hall said: “There has been no movement on pensions, job security and the flexible working conditions the company is trying to impose.”
The union has agreed to continue talks with Royal Mail but warned if no agreement is reached soon, strikes will be held before the end of the month.
A Royal Mail spokesman said: “We have now been negotiating with the CWU over pay and flexibility since March 2007.
“Royal Mail can no longer delay the next steps in modernising the business to enable it to compete with other operators and will now begin to make the changes which have been discussed for many months.
“It has become clear during this time that certain elements within the CWU are determined to drive on with this dispute irrespective of the damage it is causing to our people, our customers and the future of Royal Mail.”
