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Postal strikes to enter third day Postal strikes to enter third day
(about 1 hour later)
The most comprehensive action of the postal strike is under way, with 77,000 delivery and collection staff taking industrial action across the country.The most comprehensive action of the postal strike is under way, with 77,000 delivery and collection staff taking industrial action across the country.
Saturday is the final day of the current three days of strikes but the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced two further strike dates.Saturday is the final day of the current three days of strikes but the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced two further strike dates.
These all-out strikes will take place on Friday 6 and Monday 9 November.These all-out strikes will take place on Friday 6 and Monday 9 November.
Days of talks between the CWU and Royal Mail have so far not resolved their differences over pay and modernisation.Days of talks between the CWU and Royal Mail have so far not resolved their differences over pay and modernisation.
Mail backlogMail backlog
The parties have been meeting this week at the TUC headquarters in London.The parties have been meeting this week at the TUC headquarters in London.
HAVE YOUR SAYNone of them will have jobs if they continue down this pathPablo, Bradford Send us your comments
Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, who helped settle a dispute between the parties in 2007, said both sides would be examining fresh proposals over the weekend with a view to returning to the negotiating table "early next week".Brendan Barber, general secretary of the TUC, who helped settle a dispute between the parties in 2007, said both sides would be examining fresh proposals over the weekend with a view to returning to the negotiating table "early next week".
Meanwhile, the backlog of undelivered mail caused by the strikes has risen to 35 million items, Royal Mail has said.Meanwhile, the backlog of undelivered mail caused by the strikes has risen to 35 million items, Royal Mail has said.
But the CWU said this estimate was "laughable", alleging that between 50 million and 60 million items had in fact been delayed.But the CWU said this estimate was "laughable", alleging that between 50 million and 60 million items had in fact been delayed.
Unlike the current strikes, which have involved members in different roles striking on different days, the two new dates will be all-out strikes.Unlike the current strikes, which have involved members in different roles striking on different days, the two new dates will be all-out strikes.
On Thursday, an estimated 44,000 CWU members took part in strike action across the country, while on Friday about 400 workers at three sites in Plymouth, Stockport and Stoke went on strike.On Thursday, an estimated 44,000 CWU members took part in strike action across the country, while on Friday about 400 workers at three sites in Plymouth, Stockport and Stoke went on strike.
These strikes followed two 24-hour stoppages last week.These strikes followed two 24-hour stoppages last week.
Royal Mail says it is trying to modernise to compensate for letter volumes dropping by 10% every year as people switch to other forms of communication such as emails and SMS text messages.Royal Mail says it is trying to modernise to compensate for letter volumes dropping by 10% every year as people switch to other forms of communication such as emails and SMS text messages.
It has shed 63,000 frontline postal staff in recent years and says it needs to cut more jobs as part of continuing modernisation plans.It has shed 63,000 frontline postal staff in recent years and says it needs to cut more jobs as part of continuing modernisation plans.
The CWU agrees that job cuts are necessary but disagrees over their extent and over the future pay and working conditions of the workers that remain.The CWU agrees that job cuts are necessary but disagrees over their extent and over the future pay and working conditions of the workers that remain.