Post strikes go ahead as talks fail

Published Wednesday, 28 October 2009

A fresh wave of postal strikes will go ahead from Thursday after hopes of averting the action collapsed.

Up to 120,000 members of the Communication Workers Union will walk out from 4am causing huge disruption to mail deliveries.

The strikes were confirmed despite three days of intensive talks between union leaders and Royal Mail bosses, under the chairmanship of TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.

The Royal Mail accused the union of walking away from the peace talks and condemned the new strikes.

Dave Ward, the union's deputy general secretary, said this week's talks had been the "most useful and productive" since the start of the bitter dispute over jobs, pay and modernisation.

Mr Ward 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."

But the company said the union was "playing havoc" with customer confidence.

Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson thanked Mr Barber for his efforts to broker a deal and said the company was willing to talk for "as long as it takes" to resolve the dispute.

Comments

2 Comments

j barry in northern ireland wrote (939 days ago):

i run a small business and we rely on the cheques from our clients, i just cant find any sympathy for these strikes, as they are causing us a lot of pressure that we dont need

mr mann in Belfast wrote (939 days ago):

I RELY on Royal Mail............. Tax credits Via the post. Check from employer through the post.. Can't get a bank account. I am a single dad, Who is trying to work and provide for my daughter. I NEED the checks to arrive ! Usually I support strikes , IF they are for a good reason , AND they do not put people at risk.. This strike is for NO GOOD REASON.... & IT WILL PUT POOR PEOPLE AT RISK ! Sack ALL the workers who strike. And give the jobs to the poor people who can't afford to recieve no mail.