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/8324624.stm

The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Mail boss asks for 'common sense' Mail boss asks for 'common sense'
(10 minutes later)
Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier has said he hopes "common sense prevails" and this week's UK-wide strikes are called off.Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier has said he hopes "common sense prevails" and this week's UK-wide strikes are called off.
Mr Crozier's comments on the BBC's Andrew Marr show come ahead of fresh talks between the Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union on Monday.Mr Crozier's comments on the BBC's Andrew Marr show come ahead of fresh talks between the Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union on Monday.
He said he hoped an outline deal will see Thursday, Friday and Saturday's strikes cancelled.He said he hoped an outline deal will see Thursday, Friday and Saturday's strikes cancelled.
Yet he added that any final agreement would take "a couple of months".Yet he added that any final agreement would take "a couple of months".
This week's planned strikes follow after UK-wide walkouts by Communication Workers Union (CWU) members on Thursday and Friday of last week, in an ongoing dispute over pay, conditions and modernisation.This week's planned strikes follow after UK-wide walkouts by Communication Workers Union (CWU) members on Thursday and Friday of last week, in an ongoing dispute over pay, conditions and modernisation.
The Royal Mail says it is continuing to deal with a backlog of 30 million items but the CWU puts the figure nearer to 65 million.The Royal Mail says it is continuing to deal with a backlog of 30 million items but the CWU puts the figure nearer to 65 million.
'Complete nonsense''Complete nonsense'
Mr Crozier said the key to Monday's talks would be a form of words to end the strike action, which the Royal Mail says was formulated last week - but not enforced - by a team of its representatives and CWU leaders.Mr Crozier said the key to Monday's talks would be a form of words to end the strike action, which the Royal Mail says was formulated last week - but not enforced - by a team of its representatives and CWU leaders.
STORY SO FAR... Postal workers, especially in London, have been holding intermittent one-day strikes for months in a row over the way Royal Mail is to be modernisedEarlier this month, postal workers voted three to one in favour of nationwide industrial action (though Royal Mail said 60% of the total number of postal workers in the UK did not vote to strike)The CWU set dates for the first nationwide postal strikes in two yearsLast-gasp talks failed to reach an agreement, and two 24-hour strikes were held on Thursday and Friday of last weekFresh talks between the two sides due to take place on Monday, with further UK-wide strikes planned for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Origins of the Royal Mail strike Sorrow and anger on picket lineSTORY SO FAR... Postal workers, especially in London, have been holding intermittent one-day strikes for months in a row over the way Royal Mail is to be modernisedEarlier this month, postal workers voted three to one in favour of nationwide industrial action (though Royal Mail said 60% of the total number of postal workers in the UK did not vote to strike)The CWU set dates for the first nationwide postal strikes in two yearsLast-gasp talks failed to reach an agreement, and two 24-hour strikes were held on Thursday and Friday of last weekFresh talks between the two sides due to take place on Monday, with further UK-wide strikes planned for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday Origins of the Royal Mail strike Sorrow and anger on picket line
The union has described the suggestion that the wording had been agreed as "total nonsense."The union has described the suggestion that the wording had been agreed as "total nonsense."
Mondays' talks are being brokered by the TUC.Mondays' talks are being brokered by the TUC.
In Mr Crozier's interview with the BBC, he denied accusations that he was taking a back seat in the continuing dispute.In Mr Crozier's interview with the BBC, he denied accusations that he was taking a back seat in the continuing dispute.
He said he was not involved in the direct talks with the union, because his focus was instead on talking to affected customers.He said he was not involved in the direct talks with the union, because his focus was instead on talking to affected customers.
He also denied that he was taking any direction from the government.He also denied that he was taking any direction from the government.
"Of course I have been keeping them [government ministers] up to date," he said."Of course I have been keeping them [government ministers] up to date," he said.
"But it is complete nonsense to say they are pulling the strings.""But it is complete nonsense to say they are pulling the strings."
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has said that Monday's talks between the Royal Mail and CWU are an opportunity to end the deadlock and that both sides should seize the opportunity.Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has said that Monday's talks between the Royal Mail and CWU are an opportunity to end the deadlock and that both sides should seize the opportunity.
If this week's strikes to go ahead, they are due to involve:If this week's strikes to go ahead, they are due to involve:
• Thursday - 43,700 staff in mail centres, delivery units in mail centres, network logistic drivers and garage staff walking out from 0400 GMT• Thursday - 43,700 staff in mail centres, delivery units in mail centres, network logistic drivers and garage staff walking out from 0400 GMT
• Friday - 400 workers at three sites in Plymouth, Stockport and Stoke, who assist mail centres by reading and entering mail addresses• Friday - 400 workers at three sites in Plymouth, Stockport and Stoke, who assist mail centres by reading and entering mail addresses
• Saturday - 77,000 delivery and collection staff across the UK.• Saturday - 77,000 delivery and collection staff across the UK.
Falling post levelsFalling post levels
The Royal Mail, which has shed 63,000 frontline postal staff in recent years, says it needs to further cut jobs as part of continuing modernisation plans.The Royal Mail, which has shed 63,000 frontline postal staff in recent years, says it needs to further cut jobs as part of continuing modernisation plans.
HAVE YOUR SAY A union should rightfully look after the interests of its members, but if the business ceases trading, then there will be no jobs to 'protect' Paul Gowers, Guildford Send us your comments
It says it needs to streamline its business because the number of letters and parcels its core business delivers is falling 10% each year.It says it needs to streamline its business because the number of letters and parcels its core business delivers is falling 10% each year.
The CWU agrees that job cuts are necessary, but where the two sides disagree is over their extent, and the future pay and working conditions of the workers that remain.The CWU agrees that job cuts are necessary, but where the two sides disagree is over their extent, and the future pay and working conditions of the workers that remain.
In 2008, the Royal Mail Group went into the black for the first time in 20 years, and profit at the main letters and packages unit was £58m from a turnover of £6.7bn.In 2008, the Royal Mail Group went into the black for the first time in 20 years, and profit at the main letters and packages unit was £58m from a turnover of £6.7bn.
Royal Mail says this margin is very small considering the size of the turnover. The group also has a £6.8bn pensions deficit.Royal Mail says this margin is very small considering the size of the turnover. The group also has a £6.8bn pensions deficit.