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Union expects post strike support Union expects post strike support
(20 minutes later)
The result of a ballot of 120,000 Royal Mail workers that could pave the way for a second national strike in two years will be announced later.The result of a ballot of 120,000 Royal Mail workers that could pave the way for a second national strike in two years will be announced later.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) says it is confident of support for industrial action in the dispute.The Communication Workers Union (CWU) says it is confident of support for industrial action in the dispute.
A series of regional strikes in the long-running dispute has created a backlog of millions of letters.A series of regional strikes in the long-running dispute has created a backlog of millions of letters.
Royal Mail says it must modernise to reverse its recent losses and has warned of the damage strikes could do. Royal Mail says it is losing money on letter and parcel delivery and has warned of the damage strikes could do.
But the general secretary of the CWU, Billy Hayes, told the BBC that workers had little choice but to vote for action in the pay and job cuts dispute.But the general secretary of the CWU, Billy Hayes, told the BBC that workers had little choice but to vote for action in the pay and job cuts dispute.
"It has come to this because of the management of Royal Mail's and the government's refusal to engage the workforce on modernising the company," he said."It has come to this because of the management of Royal Mail's and the government's refusal to engage the workforce on modernising the company," he said.
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"We are very confident. All the signs are that [postal workers] will support the union on what is a referendum on the management of Royal Mail.""We are very confident. All the signs are that [postal workers] will support the union on what is a referendum on the management of Royal Mail."
"We don't want to see strike action, we want to see a negotiated settlement," he added."We don't want to see strike action, we want to see a negotiated settlement," he added.
Mr Hayes also criticised the government for "walking away" from the Royal Mail's pension fund deficit.Mr Hayes also criticised the government for "walking away" from the Royal Mail's pension fund deficit.
WalkoutsWalkouts
Royal Mail made an operating profit of £321m in the year to 31 March, but it was the first time in 20 years that all four parts of the business had gone into the black.Royal Mail made an operating profit of £321m in the year to 31 March, but it was the first time in 20 years that all four parts of the business had gone into the black.
These changes are absolutely essential if Royal Mail is to survive Mark HigsonRoyal Mail managing director Q&A: Royal Mail dispute
The company says the number of letters and parcels its core business delivers is falling by 10% each year, losing it £170m per annum.The company says the number of letters and parcels its core business delivers is falling by 10% each year, losing it £170m per annum.
Both the company and the union have accused the other of going back on agreements in the long-running dispute.Both the company and the union have accused the other of going back on agreements in the long-running dispute.
These changes are absolutely essential if Royal Mail is to survive Mark HigsonRoyal Mail managing director Q&A: Royal Mail dispute
The result of the vote is expected at about 1230 BST.The result of the vote is expected at about 1230 BST.
If workers vote for industrial action, it could lead to the first national postal strike since autumn 2007.If workers vote for industrial action, it could lead to the first national postal strike since autumn 2007.
In October of that year, Royal Mail postal workers staged two 48-hour UK-wide walkouts, bringing most deliveries to a standstill.In October of that year, Royal Mail postal workers staged two 48-hour UK-wide walkouts, bringing most deliveries to a standstill.
'No going back''No going back'
Both the Royal Mail and CWU agree that job cuts are needed as part of a vital streamlining of the mail service to cope with the continuing downturn in postal deliveries.Both the Royal Mail and CWU agree that job cuts are needed as part of a vital streamlining of the mail service to cope with the continuing downturn in postal deliveries.
But the CWU says Royal Mail managers are refusing to meet its demand for a signed agreement determining the scope of cuts, and job and pay security guarantees for those workers who will ultimately remain in their jobs.But the CWU says Royal Mail managers are refusing to meet its demand for a signed agreement determining the scope of cuts, and job and pay security guarantees for those workers who will ultimately remain in their jobs.
The Royal Mail says that by signing up to an agreement after the 2007 strike, the CWU accepted the future job cuts it needed to make in order to modernise the service.The Royal Mail says that by signing up to an agreement after the 2007 strike, the CWU accepted the future job cuts it needed to make in order to modernise the service.
Mark Higson, Royal Mail's managing director, said there could be "no going back" on efficiency measures.Mark Higson, Royal Mail's managing director, said there could be "no going back" on efficiency measures.
He added: "These changes are absolutely essential if Royal Mail is to survive in an increasingly tough communications marketplace, and against a backdrop of sharply falling mail volumes in the UK and around the world."He added: "These changes are absolutely essential if Royal Mail is to survive in an increasingly tough communications marketplace, and against a backdrop of sharply falling mail volumes in the UK and around the world."
Dave Ward, deputy general secretary of the CWU, argued that modernisation should be about improving services rather than cutting them.Dave Ward, deputy general secretary of the CWU, argued that modernisation should be about improving services rather than cutting them.
He said: "Postal workers are striking to defend future services as well as for jobs and modern conditions.He said: "Postal workers are striking to defend future services as well as for jobs and modern conditions.
"Modernisation is crucial to the future success of Royal Mail, but the implementation of change must be agreed and it must bring with it modern pay and condition.""Modernisation is crucial to the future success of Royal Mail, but the implementation of change must be agreed and it must bring with it modern pay and condition."
Seven days' noticeSeven days' notice
The union would have to give seven days' notice of any strike action.The union would have to give seven days' notice of any strike action.
BBC employment correspondent Martin Shankleman said: "Privately the CWU is already saying it confidently expects a yes vote in the ballot for a new campaign of industrial action.BBC employment correspondent Martin Shankleman said: "Privately the CWU is already saying it confidently expects a yes vote in the ballot for a new campaign of industrial action.
"Royal Mail is urging the union to pull back, warning strikes can only damage customers and future prospects for the business.""Royal Mail is urging the union to pull back, warning strikes can only damage customers and future prospects for the business."
Our correspondent added that estimates of the mail backlog created by the series of regional strikes in recent months varied from five million items to 25 million, "depending on whether you believe the company or the union".Our correspondent added that estimates of the mail backlog created by the series of regional strikes in recent months varied from five million items to 25 million, "depending on whether you believe the company or the union".
Meanwhile, online retailer Amazon has said it is looking at its options as it tries to avoid any disruption to deliveries caused by potential Royal Mail strikes in the run-up to Christmas.Meanwhile, online retailer Amazon has said it is looking at its options as it tries to avoid any disruption to deliveries caused by potential Royal Mail strikes in the run-up to Christmas.
"With the possibility of strike action in the near future, we have been working on contingency measures with our other carriers to ensure that we can continue to deliver to the high standards that our customers expect from us," an Amazon spokesman said."With the possibility of strike action in the near future, we have been working on contingency measures with our other carriers to ensure that we can continue to deliver to the high standards that our customers expect from us," an Amazon spokesman said.
However, he denied that the company had cancelled any long-term contracts with Royal Mail.However, he denied that the company had cancelled any long-term contracts with Royal Mail.
Have you been affected by postal strikes? Do you work for Royal Mail? How can the situation be sorted?Have you been affected by postal strikes? Do you work for Royal Mail? How can the situation be sorted?
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