Post row deal goes to union leaders
UNION leaders were resuming a crucial meeting today to decide whether to recommend calling off the long-running postal workers’ dispute.
The executive of the Communication Workers Union discussed a proposed agreement aimed at resolving the row over pay, jobs and pensions before adjourning last night.
If the leaders are happy with the deal, they will recommend acceptance in a ballot of the union’s 130,000 members.
Almost 800 postal staff in Liverpool continued with unofficial strikes yesterday which further delayed mail deliveries in the region.
The Royal Mail said it hoped the Liverpool employees would return to work today, but they could decide to wait until the outcome of the executive meeting.
The deal being discussed by the union is believed to include a 6.9% pay rise over two years plus local talks on flexible working arrangements.
A study yesterday by the London Chamber of Commerce said the mail strikes cost the capital’s economy more than £300m.
A survey of more than 250 company directors found most had been affected by the disruption, with almost half saying it had cost their firm at least £1,000.
A separate study by the British Chambers of Commerce showed many companies were intending to use private delivery companies as a result of the dispute.
