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Royal Mail strikes are called off Royal Mail strikes are called off
(10 minutes later)
The postal strikes have been called off until at least the New Year to allow for fresh talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union.The postal strikes have been called off until at least the New Year to allow for fresh talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union.
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the decision had been made to provide "a period of calm" in which the two sides could reach a long-term deal.TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the decision had been made to provide "a period of calm" in which the two sides could reach a long-term deal.
As a result, he said Royal Mail deliveries would be "free of any disruption" over Christmas. He said that meant Royal Mail deliveries would be "free of any disruption" over Christmas.
Yet Mr Barber added that securing a final deal remained a long way away.Yet Mr Barber added that securing a final deal remained a long way away.
The industrial dispute has been over the level of job losses the Royal Mail says are necessary as part of its modernisation plans.The industrial dispute has been over the level of job losses the Royal Mail says are necessary as part of its modernisation plans.
While the CWU accepts that some redundancies are required, the two sides disagree over their extent.While the CWU accepts that some redundancies are required, the two sides disagree over their extent.
They also disagree over changes to pay and working conditions for Royal Mail staff that remain in their jobs.They also disagree over changes to pay and working conditions for Royal Mail staff that remain in their jobs.
"The agreement reached today is a very important step forward, but it is a long way to the end of the road," said Mr Barber. 'Work hard'
He added that both Royal Mail and the CWU recognised that trust between the two sides had to be improved. CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said the decision to end the strike action had been unanimously agreed by its executive board.
"We can now have a period of calm where we hope we can genuinely take forward modernisation in a way that puts the union at the centre," he said.
Yet he added that the union recognised the forthcoming negotiations would be difficult, saying the dispute had been "bitter".
"It will take exceptional efforts to rebuild trust," he said. "But we will work very hard to ensure that the agreement stays on track."