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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) says. | |
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 that it would announce details later in the week. | |
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 discussions. | |
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 plans | Contingency 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. |
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. |