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29/10/2009
Postal Strikes Continue
A new series of postal strikes has begun today, after talks between the Royal Mail and the union broke down yesterday.
The strikes began this morning at 4am, with 43,700 staff in mail centres, network logistic drivers and garage staff walking out on strike.
They will be followed by 400 workers in Plymouth, Stockport and Stoke who redirect badly addressed mail, while 77,000 delivery and collection staff across the UK will strike on Saturday.
Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union have been holding talks at TUC headquarters this week, under the chairmanship of the union's General Secretary Brendan Barber.
On Wednesday, the CWU's Deputy General Secretary Dave Ward had described this week's talks as "the most useful and productive discussions" that had been held since the dispute over the Royal Mail's modernisation plans began.
However, Mr Ward said that a proposal tabled by the union on Wednesday morning had not been agreed by Royal Mail. He said: "This series of strikes and future strikes can still be avoided and we remain available for discussions at any time, including tonight. We remain committed to reaching an agreed resolution."
However, the Royal Mail's Managing Director Mark Higson told the BBC that the two sides had been close to reaching an agreement when the union made "a fresh set of demands". He said that the union had decided to carry on with the strikes while those talks were in progress, a move which he described as "an extraordinary action".
(KMcA/GK)
The strikes began this morning at 4am, with 43,700 staff in mail centres, network logistic drivers and garage staff walking out on strike.
They will be followed by 400 workers in Plymouth, Stockport and Stoke who redirect badly addressed mail, while 77,000 delivery and collection staff across the UK will strike on Saturday.
Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union have been holding talks at TUC headquarters this week, under the chairmanship of the union's General Secretary Brendan Barber.
On Wednesday, the CWU's Deputy General Secretary Dave Ward had described this week's talks as "the most useful and productive discussions" that had been held since the dispute over the Royal Mail's modernisation plans began.
However, Mr Ward said that a proposal tabled by the union on Wednesday morning had not been agreed by Royal Mail. He said: "This series of strikes and future strikes can still be avoided and we remain available for discussions at any time, including tonight. We remain committed to reaching an agreed resolution."
However, the Royal Mail's Managing Director Mark Higson told the BBC that the two sides had been close to reaching an agreement when the union made "a fresh set of demands". He said that the union had decided to carry on with the strikes while those talks were in progress, a move which he described as "an extraordinary action".
(KMcA/GK)
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08 October 2009
Vote For UK Mail Strike Questioned
It could be a cold festive season this year as the Christmas post is now in doubt. But while it looks like being seriously affected now that Royal Mail workers have voted for a national strike - management insist that a majority are not in favour.
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It could be a cold festive season this year as the Christmas post is now in doubt. But while it looks like being seriously affected now that Royal Mail workers have voted for a national strike - management insist that a majority are not in favour.
10 October 2007
Royal Mail Express Concern Over Wildcat Strikes
Royal Mail has said that it is "extremely concerned" about wildcat strikes by postal workers, which are taking place despite the end of the latest official 48-hour strike. Up to 130,000 members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) were due to return to work on Wednesday following the strike.
Royal Mail Express Concern Over Wildcat Strikes
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20 September 2007
Postal Workers Set For More Strikes
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced that further strikes will take place as the row over pay and business changes at Royal Mail continues. Two 48-hour strikes are scheduled to take place on October 5 and 6 and October 8 and 9.
Postal Workers Set For More Strikes
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced that further strikes will take place as the row over pay and business changes at Royal Mail continues. Two 48-hour strikes are scheduled to take place on October 5 and 6 and October 8 and 9.
22 October 2009
Royal Mail Hit By National Stoppage
Postal services across the UK are set for major disruption this week as the first nationwide postal strike in two years began this morning at 4am. It takes place after talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) broke down.
Royal Mail Hit By National Stoppage
Postal services across the UK are set for major disruption this week as the first nationwide postal strike in two years began this morning at 4am. It takes place after talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) broke down.
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Dry with clear skies this evening. Patchy cloud will increase at times overnight, but some clear spells too. Light winds and some patchy shallow mist or fog towards dawn. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
