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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| He said that meant 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. |
| However Mr Barber said that securing a final deal remained a long way away. | However Mr Barber said that securing a final deal remained a long way away. |
| He was speaking after the TUC helped to broker the agreement between the two sides to end the strike action. | He was speaking after the TUC helped to broker the agreement between the two sides to end the strike action. |
| 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. |
| 'Work hard' | 'Work hard' |
| CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said the decision to end the strike action had been unanimously agreed by its executive board. | CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said the decision to end the strike action had been unanimously agreed by its executive board. |
| It's important that both sides now keep talking about the next phase of modernisation which is vital for the company's future Business Secretary Lord Mandelson | It's important that both sides now keep talking about the next phase of modernisation which is vital for the company's future Business Secretary Lord Mandelson |
| "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. | "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". | 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." | "It will take exceptional efforts to rebuild trust," he said. "But we will work very hard to ensure that the agreement stays on track." |
| Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson said he now looked forward "to positive and constructive discussions on the next stage of Royal Mail's modernisation plan". | Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson said he now looked forward "to positive and constructive discussions on the next stage of Royal Mail's modernisation plan". |
| "I'm delighted for our customers and our people that we've got back to a sensible agreement with the CWU that will allow us to deliver a great Christmas while getting on with the vital talks about the longer term future of Royal Mail," he added. | "I'm delighted for our customers and our people that we've got back to a sensible agreement with the CWU that will allow us to deliver a great Christmas while getting on with the vital talks about the longer term future of Royal Mail," he added. |
| Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said he welcomed the news that further strikes had been called off. | Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said he welcomed the news that further strikes had been called off. |
| "It's important that both sides now keep talking about the next phase of modernisation which is vital for the company's future," he said. | "It's important that both sides now keep talking about the next phase of modernisation which is vital for the company's future," he said. |
| "Strikes do nothing to help Royal Mail, its business, its future prospects and of course the jobs and livelihoods of those who work in Royal Mail." | "Strikes do nothing to help Royal Mail, its business, its future prospects and of course the jobs and livelihoods of those who work in Royal Mail." |
| Until the latest announcements, CWU members had held five 24-hour strikes over the past two weeks, which involved members in different roles striking on different days. | |
| The strikes that had been planned for Friday and Monday were to be all-out action involving up to 121,000 union members on each day. |