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UK postal strike is to go ahead UK postal strike is to go ahead
(10 minutes later)
A nationwide postal strike will go ahead on Thursday and Friday, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has confirmed. A nationwide postal strike will go ahead on Thursday and Friday, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) says.
The action, to begin at 4am, comes amid a row about pay, conditions and Royal Mail's modernisation plans. The action, to begin at 4am, comes amid a row over pay, conditions and Royal Mail's modernisation plans.
The CWU said that it also planned further strikes and would announce details of later in the week. The CWU said that it also planned further strikes and that it would announce details later in the week.
The union called on senior figures at Royal Mail to get involved in negotiations to solve the dispute. The union criticised Royal Mail bosses and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson for not getting involved in talks to end the dispute.
The CWU's deputy general secretary, Dave Ward, said that progress had been made in the talks. The CWU's deputy general secretary, Dave Ward, said that progress had been made in the discussions.
But he claimed that agreements struck with negotiators last night had been vetoed by Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson. But he claimed that agreements struck with negotiators on Tuesday night had been vetoed by Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson.
This led the CWU to have "no confidence or trust" in either Mr Higson, Royal Mail's chief executive Adam Crozier or the Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, Mr Ward added.This led the CWU to have "no confidence or trust" in either Mr Higson, Royal Mail's chief executive Adam Crozier or the Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, Mr Ward added.
The unions accused Lord Mandelson of deliberately undermining the talks, saying the minister had privately expressed his doubts about the capabilities of Royal Mail's management.
Billy Hayes, the CWU's general secretary, labelled Lord Mandelson the "minister without responsibility".
Contingency plansContingency plans
The decision to go ahead with strike action came after more than 30 hours of talks between Royal Mail and the union this week.The decision to go ahead with strike action came 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.
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 continue for a prolonged period, contingency plans for delivery of hospital appointments and medical test results have been drawn up, MPs were told earlier this week.If the strikes continue for a prolonged period, contingency plans for delivery of hospital appointments and medical test results have been drawn up, MPs were told earlier this week.
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.