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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| More postal strikes hit England | More postal strikes hit England |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Postal workers have walked out in the Midlands, Bristol, Yorkshire and the South East of England. | Postal workers have walked out in the Midlands, Bristol, Yorkshire and the South East of England. |
| The Communication Workers Union says it aims to stop deliveries in and out of London for 24 hours. | The Communication Workers Union says it aims to stop deliveries in and out of London for 24 hours. |
| The bad feeling between the union and ministers has continued, with the CWU calling yesterday's comments by Lord Mandelson "a disgrace". | The bad feeling between the union and ministers has continued, with the CWU calling yesterday's comments by Lord Mandelson "a disgrace". |
| The business secretary had accused the union of trying to "frustrate" modernisation at Royal Mail. | The business secretary had accused the union of trying to "frustrate" modernisation at Royal Mail. |
| Lord Mandelson said the union had to "wake up" to stop the Mail's "further decline." | Lord Mandelson said the union had to "wake up" to stop the Mail's "further decline." |
| The CWU is due to ballot next week on whether to hold a national strike for the first time since 2007. | The CWU is due to ballot next week on whether to hold a national strike for the first time since 2007. |
| CWU rep Sajid Shiakh: "The union has never been against modernisation" | |
| The union's deputy general secretary, Dave Ward, accused ministers of encouraging Royal Mail to "destroy" the union: | The union's deputy general secretary, Dave Ward, accused ministers of encouraging Royal Mail to "destroy" the union: |
| He said: "Lord Mandelson's comments are an absolute disgrace. | He said: "Lord Mandelson's comments are an absolute disgrace. |
| "Postal workers note that this government - a Labour government - are abrogating their responsibilities", he told Breakfast on BBC Radio Five Live. | "Postal workers note that this government - a Labour government - are abrogating their responsibilities", he told Breakfast on BBC Radio Five Live. |
| Mr Ward said the government wanted Royal Mail managers to modernise the service, no matter what the cost: "They're now saying to those people, we're giving you the green light; get in and destroy this union." | Mr Ward said the government wanted Royal Mail managers to modernise the service, no matter what the cost: "They're now saying to those people, we're giving you the green light; get in and destroy this union." |
| Exam Results | Exam Results |
| Royal Mail insisted that Thursday's delivery of A-level results would not be affected. | Royal Mail insisted that Thursday's delivery of A-level results would not be affected. |
| A spokesman said: "Well over 90% of our people and more than 90% of our operational units are working normally. | A spokesman said: "Well over 90% of our people and more than 90% of our operational units are working normally. |
| STRIKE LOCATIONS Today: Birmingham, Coventry, London, Essex, Peterborough, Bristol, Leeds20 August: Peterborough21 August: Peterborough, Kings Lynn22 August: Boston, Carrickfergus24 August: Skegness, Huntingdon | STRIKE LOCATIONS Today: Birmingham, Coventry, London, Essex, Peterborough, Bristol, Leeds20 August: Peterborough21 August: Peterborough, Kings Lynn22 August: Boston, Carrickfergus24 August: Skegness, Huntingdon |
| "We cannot understand why the union is claiming to support modernisation when it's pursuing a policy of actively opposing the changes we need to make to ensure there's a successful future for the business. | "We cannot understand why the union is claiming to support modernisation when it's pursuing a policy of actively opposing the changes we need to make to ensure there's a successful future for the business. |
| "We have held more than 50 meetings with the union in recent months and the door for talks with the union remains open." | "We have held more than 50 meetings with the union in recent months and the door for talks with the union remains open." |
| In June, Lord Mandelson, announced plans to sell off part of Royal Mail had been delayed because no suitable buyer had been found. | In June, Lord Mandelson, announced plans to sell off part of Royal Mail had been delayed because no suitable buyer had been found. |
| Some businesses have warned that, if the strikes continue, they will cause problems in the wider economy. | Some businesses have warned that, if the strikes continue, they will cause problems in the wider economy. |
| Gay Slade, who runs a Feng Shui business via eBay, said the dispute was "adding misery upon misery". | Gay Slade, who runs a Feng Shui business via eBay, said the dispute was "adding misery upon misery". |
| She said: "It's getting to the point now where we're getting really worried that this is going to carry on too long. | She said: "It's getting to the point now where we're getting really worried that this is going to carry on too long. |
| "Nothing seems to be being done to resolve the issue. It's just going on and on. | "Nothing seems to be being done to resolve the issue. It's just going on and on. |
| "They're now talking about balloting for an all-out strike in October, which will be coming up to the peak period for internet sellers. | "They're now talking about balloting for an all-out strike in October, which will be coming up to the peak period for internet sellers. |
| "It could ruin people's businesses and ruin people's lives. People could lose their homes over this." | "It could ruin people's businesses and ruin people's lives. People could lose their homes over this." |
| Earlier this year, Royal Mail warned it was in a "very tight financial position" and had to cut costs. | Earlier this year, Royal Mail warned it was in a "very tight financial position" and had to cut costs. |
| In 2008, all four parts of Royal Mail were profitable for the first time in almost two decades. | In 2008, all four parts of Royal Mail were profitable for the first time in almost two decades. |