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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
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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. | A nationwide postal strike will go ahead on Thursday and Friday, the Communication Workers Union (CWU) says. |
| The action, to begin at midnight, comes amid a row over pay, conditions and Royal Mail's modernisation plans. | The action, to begin at midnight, comes amid a row over pay, conditions and Royal Mail's modernisation plans. |
| The CWU said it also planned further strikes and that it would announce details later in the week. | The CWU said 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 union criticised Royal Mail bosses and Business Secretary Lord Mandelson for not getting involved in talks to end the dispute. |
| Mail centre staff and drivers will strike on Thursday while delivery and collection staff will take action on Friday. | Mail centre staff and drivers will strike on Thursday while delivery and collection staff will take action on Friday. |
| 'No trust' | 'No trust' |
| Government sources told the BBC the strike was "something of a tragic matter" and revolved around a dispute over implementing working practices and changes agreed two years ago. | Government sources told the BBC the strike was "something of a tragic matter" and revolved around a dispute over implementing working practices and changes agreed two years ago. |
| Meanwhile Royal Mail condemned the strikes which it said were "wholly unjustified". | Meanwhile Royal Mail condemned the strikes which it said were "wholly unjustified". |
| It had earlier issued a last-gasp plea for a "strike-free period of calm" in the run-up to Christmas, saying industrial action would bring "huge damage and distraction" and cause "pain and disruption" for customers. | It had earlier issued a last-gasp plea for a "strike-free period of calm" in the run-up to Christmas, saying industrial action would bring "huge damage and distraction" and cause "pain and disruption" for customers. |
| The CWU's deputy general secretary, Dave Ward, said that progress had been made in the discussions. | 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. | 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 working "hand in hand with Royal Mail" to deliberately undermine the talks, saying the minister had privately expressed his doubts about the capabilities of Royal Mail's management. | The unions accused Lord Mandelson of working "hand in hand with Royal Mail" to deliberately undermine 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". | 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. |
| Brown and Cameron on postal dispute | Brown and Cameron on postal dispute |
| 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". |
| Earlier, in the Commons, David Cameron accused Gordon Brown of lacking the "courage and leadership" to intervene in the postal dispute to prevent two days of planned strikes. | |
| Since plans to part-privatise Royal Mail had been shelved "union militancy has got worse," the Tory leader said. | Since plans to part-privatise Royal Mail had been shelved "union militancy has got worse," the Tory leader said. |
| Mr Brown said that had nothing to do with the dispute and urged unions and managers to agree a deal. | Mr Brown said that had nothing to do with the dispute and urged unions and managers to agree a deal. |
| 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. |
| Are you a customer or do you work in a business that has been affected by the postal strike? Do you work for Royal Mail? Are you planning to strike? Send us your comments. | Are you a customer or do you work in a business that has been affected by the postal strike? Do you work for Royal Mail? Are you planning to strike? Send us your comments. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |