Union offers deal to avert mail strike

Oct 14 2009 by Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette

POSTAL workers’ leaders have offered a last-ditch deal aimed at averting a strike, warning that they would have “no option” other than to press ahead with action if it was rejected.

The Communication Workers Union has written to the Royal Mail, saying its offer would help restore customer confidence and resolve long-running disputes over jobs, pay and work levels.

Postal workers have already voted by three to one in favour of industrial action and the union’s leadership had discussed calling strikes next week.

But the union has announced a last-chance alternative to a national walkout, which would cripple mail deliveries across the country just as businesses started fulfilling Christmas orders. If the Royal Mail rejects the offer, the union will announce strike dates tomorrow. In that case, the first walk-out could happen on October 22.

The union made it clear in the letter to Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson that it would have “no option” other than to press ahead with issuing a notice for strike action later this week if progress was not made in the next few days.

Pete Sansum, Communication Workers Union area delivery representative for Teesside, said the national walk-out would affect around 1,400 Tees Valley workers.

“If the dispute can’t be resolved, strike dates will be announced tomorrow and we will fall in line with the national action.”

Business secretary Lord Mandelson warned last night that a national postal strike would be a “suicidal act”.