Planned Postal Strike Called Off

Just hours before a new wave of postal strikes were due to begin they have been dramatically called off. Walkouts had been due to begin last Friday, with a 24 hour national stoppage. A further 24 hour strike was also to be held on Monday 9th November. Sources said that the planned Industrial Action would not go ahead after a deal was agreed to end a long-running row over jobs, pay and pensions.

The strikes would have been the latest in a series of action, held over the past few months by members of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU). Huge delays and massive disruptions have been caused by the previous actions. Union leaders and Royal Mail bosses were able to reach agreement after several days of talks and negotiations, with the union's postal executive sanctioning the agreement at a meeting in London last Thursday (5th November).

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson welcomed the news that the strikes had been put on hold, saying he hoped that all the “wrinkles” in the modernisation process could be solved by negotiation. “These strikes have done nothing to help Royal Mail,” he told a Press conference in London.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the agreement provided for a “period of calm” in the run-up to and beyond Christmas, free of industrial action to enable further negotiations to be held to secure a longer term deal. Mr Barber said the agreement also resolved a number of local disputes which have flared in recent months and addressed areas of concern for the union and workers. “The agreement is a very important step forward but it is a long way from the end of the road,” he added.

Dave Ward, the union's deputy general secretary, said he was pleased with the agreement, which had been accepted unanimously by the postal executive of the CWU.  “We can now have a period of calm where we hope we can genuinely take forward modernisation in a way that puts the union at the centre. Our members will now know we can deal with modernisation in a way that gives them improved job security and improved terms and conditions.” He went on: “It will take exceptional efforts to rebuild trust. But we will work very hard to ensure that the agreement stays on track.” He issued a fresh plea to the Government to tackle the Royal Mail's £10 billion pension fund deficit, saying that until that was dealt with it will be difficult to overcome the “challenges” ahead.

Details of the agreement are to be released.