21/06/2007

Royal Mail strike treat on talks breakdown

Strike action at the Royal Mail looks likely as the union's executive meets today to consider action after a meeting yesterday (Wednesday, June 20) broke up without reaching agreement.

Communication Workers Union (CWU) representatives met Royal Mail bosses in ACAS facilitated talks, but the union said it was "disappointed" that management had simply reiterated their business plan and restated a previous offer that had already overwhelmingly rejected.

The CWU says it wants fresh talks and maintained that it was not against modernisation.

A 2.5% pay offer has been rejected by the workforce and the union has been seeking changes to a modernisation plan over fears of sweeping jobs losses.

The CWU is expected to make a statement following a meeting today to access the situation. The union said that an announcement on strike dates was "very likely."

If industrial action is called it will be the first at the Royal mail in over a decade.

Royal Mail recently lost a £8m contract with major online retailer Amazon.

(SP/JM)

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