This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8319169.stm
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| UK postal strike is to go ahead | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A nationwide postal strike, due to take place on Thursday and Friday, will go ahead, the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) has confirmed. | |
| The action, to begin at midnight, is over a row about pay, conditions and Royal Mail's modernisation plans. | The action, to begin at midnight, is over a row about pay, conditions and Royal Mail's modernisation plans. |
| The CWU said that they would announce details of further strike action later in the week. | |
| The decision comes after more than 30 hours of talks between Royal Mail and the union 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 | 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. |
| The CWU's deputy general secretary, Dave ward, said that progress had been made in the talks but that the Union had "no confidence or trust" in Royal Mail leaders. | |
| 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. | 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. | And it has emerged that the Ministry of Defence may charter extra aircraft to ensure serving troops get their Christmas post. |