Talks between union leaders and the Royal Mail have resumed today in an effort to avert further strikes next week.
The new round of talks between the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Royal Mail boss Adam Crozier is continuing following a stalemate late on Thursday.
Wednesday was marked by unofficial strikes by hundreds of postal workers in parts of London and Liverpool.
A spokesperson for CWU told Personnel Today: “Talks with Adam Crozier are ongoing today and we are hopeful of a settlement. The sooner the better.”
CWU members voted in favour of industrial action in June in protest at Royal Mail’s “below inflation pay offer” and plans to cut the workforce by 40,000 and close post offices.
Yesterday CWU welcomed the Early Day Motion tabled by John McDonnell and supported by more than 40 MPs.
The motion called for the government to intervene in the dispute. It also called for the government to carry out a review of competition in postal services.
“The government is the shareholder, holds the purse strings and has a responsibility to intervene to achieve a positive resolution. Many of the problems in the industry are as a direct result of political errors, including opening up the market to competition without understanding the impact – as well as the ongoing pensions deficit,” the CWU said.
Prime minister Gordon Brown has called on the CWU to end the strike, saying there was no justification for it.
Employment relations minister Pat McFadden has rejected trade union calls for the government to play a bigger role in solving the Royal Mail dispute.
McFadden said he was in regular contact with both union bosses and management but that it was for them to reach an agreement to end industrial action.
The next round of official strike action is due to begin on Monday, unless a settlement is reached today.
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