Postal workers have backed a deal that finally ends the long-running dispute with Royal Mail.
The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) said its members voted by 64% in favour of an agreement, and will now receive a pay rise of 6.9% over two years. Turnout in the ballot was 64%.
Workers will receive a £175 lump sum to cover the period of April to October, a 5.4% pay rise backdated to 1 October and a further 1.5% in April 2008.
Trials on working practices and joint working groups will be launched as a result of the agreement.
Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: “Rather than accept market rate strategy for pay, this deal sets the benchmark for the whole of the postal industry to follow.
“The CWU has always recognised that change is needed at Royal Mail and this agreement demonstrates that the union is leading the change agenda.”
Royal Mail said it was pleased the organisation was now able to go ahead with plans to modernise the business and make it more flexible, efficient and able to compete more effectively.
