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Royal Mail pay rise rejected by CWU | Royal Mail pay rise rejected by CWU |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The union that represents postal workers has rejected a proposed 8.6% pay increase from Royal Mail, amid privatisation plans. | The union that represents postal workers has rejected a proposed 8.6% pay increase from Royal Mail, amid privatisation plans. |
Royal Mail has offered 125,000 workers the three-year pay rise, as well as bonuses and other changes to conditions. | Royal Mail has offered 125,000 workers the three-year pay rise, as well as bonuses and other changes to conditions. |
But the Communication Workers Union (CWU) described the offer as "misleading and unacceptable". | But the Communication Workers Union (CWU) described the offer as "misleading and unacceptable". |
The government is planning to sell the operator to the private sector. | The government is planning to sell the operator to the private sector. |
Business Secretary Vince Cable has spoken of a possible share sale before the end of the year. | Business Secretary Vince Cable has spoken of a possible share sale before the end of the year. |
In its latest offer, Royal Mail said any pay deal made now "would not be affected by any change in ownership of the company". | In its latest offer, Royal Mail said any pay deal made now "would not be affected by any change in ownership of the company". |
'Sweetener' | 'Sweetener' |
It also said that it would ensure a minimum of 10% of shares would be set aside for employees ahead of any sale, and called for a "new model" of working with the CWU - the main union body. | It also said that it would ensure a minimum of 10% of shares would be set aside for employees ahead of any sale, and called for a "new model" of working with the CWU - the main union body. |
"We have already built a stronger Royal Mail together, through closer cooperation and trust in recent years," said Moya Green, Royal Mail chief executive. | "We have already built a stronger Royal Mail together, through closer cooperation and trust in recent years," said Moya Green, Royal Mail chief executive. |
"We are now offering a new long-term agreement with the CWU and our employees. | "We are now offering a new long-term agreement with the CWU and our employees. |
"This is a good deal - good for Royal Mail and good for our people. We are asking the CWU and our people to accept this new agreement. | "This is a good deal - good for Royal Mail and good for our people. We are asking the CWU and our people to accept this new agreement. |
But Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said the pay-rise on offer was merely "a sweetener". | But Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said the pay-rise on offer was merely "a sweetener". |
"Postal workers want more security; what's on offer is less. With privatisation looming, the protections Royal Mail have put on offer are not worth the paper they're written on," he said. | "Postal workers want more security; what's on offer is less. With privatisation looming, the protections Royal Mail have put on offer are not worth the paper they're written on," he said. |
"The pay rise is only there as a sweetener to swallow some very bitter pills on damaging changes to pensions, and a raft of workplace uncertainty. | "The pay rise is only there as a sweetener to swallow some very bitter pills on damaging changes to pensions, and a raft of workplace uncertainty. |
"The deal that they've spun in their press release is not the real deal. Postal workers will know that." | "The deal that they've spun in their press release is not the real deal. Postal workers will know that." |
He warned that industrial conflict was "inevitable" if the union did not receive assurances it wanted. | He warned that industrial conflict was "inevitable" if the union did not receive assurances it wanted. |
The Royal Mail proposal also states that an "industrial Stability mechanism will be developed as part of the agreement". This is thought to amount to a no strike deal. | |
A CWU spokesperson said the union would never sign up to an agreement that took away the right of its members to undertake legitimate industrial action. |
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