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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 backlog | Mail 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. |