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| UK post strike is set to go ahead | UK post strike is set to go ahead |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A nationwide postal strike, due to take place on Thursday and Friday, will go ahead, the BBC understands. | A nationwide postal strike, due to take place on Thursday and Friday, will go ahead, the BBC understands. |
| The action, to begin at midnight, is over a row about pay, conditions and Royal Mail's modernisation plans. | |
| The decision comes after more than 30 hours of talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) this week. | The decision comes after more than 30 hours of talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) this week. |
| The prime minister had urged unions and managers to agree a deal saying a strike would be "counter-productive". | The prime minister had urged unions and managers to agree a deal saying a strike would be "counter-productive". |
| On Thursday, mail centre staff and drivers will strike, while on Friday delivery and collection staff will take action. | On Thursday, mail centre staff and drivers will strike, while on Friday delivery and collection staff will take action. |
| The decision came despite a last-gasp plea from Royal Mail for a "strike-free period of calm" in the run-up to Christmas. | The decision came despite a last-gasp plea from Royal Mail for a "strike-free period of calm" in the run-up to Christmas. |
| Contingency plans | |
| The company warned that industrial action would bring "huge damage and distraction" and cause "pain and disruption" for customers. | The company warned that industrial action would bring "huge damage and distraction" and cause "pain and disruption" for customers. |
| Royal Mail's managing director Mark Higson had proposed that the union did not activate its strike ballot, giving customers "much needed stability and certainty". | Royal Mail's managing director Mark Higson had proposed that the union did not activate its strike ballot, giving customers "much needed stability and certainty". |
| He added that the Royal Mail was happy to consider using third party negotiators to work on developing an industrial relations framework for the future. | He added that the Royal Mail was happy to consider using third party negotiators to work on developing an industrial relations framework for the future. |
| If the strikes go ahead for a prolonged period, contingency plans for delivery of hospital appointments and medical test results have been drawn up, MPs have been told. | |
| And it has emerged that the Ministry of Defence may charter extra aircraft to ensure serving troops get their Christmas post. |