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Fresh mail strikes get under way Fresh mail strikes get under way
(about 1 hour later)
The second phase of nationwide postal strikes by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) is now under way.The second phase of nationwide postal strikes by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) is now under way.
On Thursday, 43,700 union members in mail centres, delivery units in mail centres, network logistic drivers and garage staff are on a 24-hour strike.On Thursday, 43,700 union members in mail centres, delivery units in mail centres, network logistic drivers and garage staff are on a 24-hour strike.
Further 24-hour strikes are due to take place on Friday and Saturday.Further 24-hour strikes are due to take place on Friday and Saturday.
Royal Mail management and union bosses have been meeting all week at TUC headquarters, but each is blaming the other for the lack of agreement.Royal Mail management and union bosses have been meeting all week at TUC headquarters, but each is blaming the other for the lack of agreement.
Fresh mail strikes get underway
Royal Mail said they had been close to agreement on Tuesday evening but that on Wednesday morning the CWU had made fresh demands.Royal Mail said they had been close to agreement on Tuesday evening but that on Wednesday morning the CWU had made fresh demands.
How the strike might change Britain href="/2/hi/business/8260701.stm">Q&A: Royal Mail dispute How the strike might change Britain href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=7158&edition=1&ttl=20091029074217">Your comments on the strike
"Today we came in to be faced with a new set of demands from the CWU, which we were in the process of responding to and discussing," Mark Higson, managing director of Royal Mail Letters told the BBC."Today we came in to be faced with a new set of demands from the CWU, which we were in the process of responding to and discussing," Mark Higson, managing director of Royal Mail Letters told the BBC.
"We find it really quite extraordinary that in the midst of those productive talks taking place under the auspices of the TUC they would go ahead and call strikes.""We find it really quite extraordinary that in the midst of those productive talks taking place under the auspices of the TUC they would go ahead and call strikes."
Mr Higson said that his focus would now move to making sure that customers were affected as little as possible by the three days of industrial action.
He said he hoped to have the backlog of mail cleared by early next week.
'Period of calm''Period of calm'
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said in a statement that the last three days had been "the most useful and productive discussions" since the dispute started.Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said in a statement that the last three days had been "the most useful and productive discussions" since the dispute started.
Mark Higson, managing director of Royal Mail Letters, is disappointed at the strike
He added that Wednesday morning's proposal was a chance for the Royal Mail to end the strikes.He added that Wednesday morning's proposal was a chance for the Royal Mail to end the strikes.
"Had that proposal been agreed this would have enabled a period of calm and allowed further talks through Acas with the intention of concluding a full and final agreement.""Had that proposal been agreed this would have enabled a period of calm and allowed further talks through Acas with the intention of concluding a full and final agreement."
Mr Higson said that his focus would now move to making sure that customers were affected as little as possible by the three days of industrial action. Union leaders have blamed Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and Royal Mail chiefs for the failure to reach a deal.
He said he hoped to have the backlog of mail cleared by early next week.
On Friday, 400 workers at three sites in Plymouth, Stockport and Stoke, who assist mail centres by reading and entering mail addresses, are due to strike.On Friday, 400 workers at three sites in Plymouth, Stockport and Stoke, who assist mail centres by reading and entering mail addresses, are due to strike.
Then on Saturday it will be the turn of 77,000 delivery and collection staff across the UK.Then on Saturday it will be the turn of 77,000 delivery and collection staff across the UK.