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Fresh talks seek post strike deal Fresh talks seek post strike deal
(about 7 hours later)
Royal Mail and union leaders are due to hold more talks aimed at ending the row over pay, conditions and modernisation.Royal Mail and union leaders are due to hold more talks aimed at ending the row over pay, conditions and modernisation.
If no deal is reached, postal workers - who staged two days of strikes last week - are planning three more walk-outs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.If no deal is reached, postal workers - who staged two days of strikes last week - are planning three more walk-outs on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Communication Workers Union leader Billy Hayes said he was confident of moving forward if Royal Mail was "genuinely seeking agreement". Communication Workers Union (CWU) leader Billy Hayes said he was confident of moving forward if Royal Mail was "genuinely seeking agreement".
Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier said he hoped "common sense prevails".Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier said he hoped "common sense prevails".
'Complete nonsense' 'Total nonsense'
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.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 CWU agrees 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 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.
Mr Crozier told the BBC's Andrew Marr show he hoped an outline deal would see the strikes cancelled.Mr Crozier told the BBC's Andrew Marr show he hoped an outline deal would see the strikes cancelled.
He said the key to the talks would be a form of words to end the strike action, which the Royal Mail says was formulated last week - but not used - by a team of its representatives and CWU leaders.He said the key to the talks would be a form of words to end the strike action, which the Royal Mail says was formulated last week - but not used - 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".
Mr Crozier denied accusations he was taking a back seat in the dispute and said he was not involved in the direct talks with the union because his focus was instead on talking to affected customers.Mr Crozier denied accusations he was taking a back seat in the dispute and 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.
Mr Crozier added that while he hoped an outline agreement would stop the strikes, it would take "a couple of months" to agree any final deal.Mr Crozier added that while he hoped an outline agreement would stop the strikes, it would take "a couple of months" to agree any final deal.
The Royal Mail says it is continuing to deal with a backlog of 30 million items after CWU members walked out on Thursday and Friday last week. 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 after CWU members walked out on Thursday and Friday last week. The CWU puts the figure nearer to 65 million.
Reacting to the Mr Crozier's interview, CWU general secretary Mr Hayes told the BBC the union would not accept "any change by imposition".Reacting to the Mr Crozier's interview, CWU general secretary Mr Hayes told the BBC the union would not accept "any change by imposition".
'Encouraged''Encouraged'
Saying the union would not agree to any compulsory redundancies, he added: "We want change with agreement, with job security at the heart of it".Saying the union would not agree to any compulsory redundancies, he added: "We want change with agreement, with job security at the heart of it".
He added that, if the Royal Mail was "genuinely seeking agreement" at the fresh talks being brokered by the TUC, "I'm sure we can move forward".He added that, if the Royal Mail was "genuinely seeking agreement" at the fresh talks being brokered by the TUC, "I'm sure we can move forward".
Meanwhile, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson denied suggestions by the union that he had orchestrated the Royal Mail's handling of the dispute.Meanwhile, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson denied suggestions by the union that he had orchestrated the Royal Mail's handling of the dispute.
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 commentsHAVE 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
He added that the talks between the Royal Mail and CWU were an opportunity to end the deadlock and that both sides should seize the opportunity.He added that the talks between the Royal Mail and CWU were an opportunity to end the deadlock and that both sides should seize the opportunity.
Shadow business secretary Kenneth Clarke said he expected Royal Mail privatisation to feature in the Conservative manifesto for the next general election.Shadow business secretary Kenneth Clarke said he expected Royal Mail privatisation to feature in the Conservative manifesto for the next general election.
He told BBC One's The Politics Show: "I'm not writing the manifesto, but I imagine the document will have this in. Our policy is to privatise the Royal Mail."He told BBC One's The Politics Show: "I'm not writing the manifesto, but I imagine the document will have this in. Our policy is to privatise the Royal Mail."
If this week's strikes go ahead, they are due to involve:If this week's strikes 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.