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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Postal strike to move step closer | Postal strike to move step closer |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A ballot of postal workers is expected to reveal strong support for the first national postal strike since 1996. | A ballot of postal workers is expected to reveal strong support for the first national postal strike since 1996. |
| Leaders of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are predicting a "yes" vote in a ballot over strike action among its 130,000 members. | Leaders of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) are predicting a "yes" vote in a ballot over strike action among its 130,000 members. |
| The union is in dispute with the Royal Mail over its 2.5% pay offer. | The union is in dispute with the Royal Mail over its 2.5% pay offer. |
| The CWU says workers' pay should rise to the national average over the next five years. Royal Mail says this amounts to £1bn and is unaffordable. | The CWU says workers' pay should rise to the national average over the next five years. Royal Mail says this amounts to £1bn and is unaffordable. |
| This is the clearest message we have had from the workforce so the Royal Mail has to listen and return to serious negotiations CWU | This is the clearest message we have had from the workforce so the Royal Mail has to listen and return to serious negotiations CWU |
| The ballot result will be announced at the union's annual conference in Bournemouth, after which the CWU will call for fresh talks to try to avert a strike. | The ballot result will be announced at the union's annual conference in Bournemouth, after which the CWU will call for fresh talks to try to avert a strike. |
| CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said: "We are expecting a 'yes' vote which will show clearly that Royal Mail workers have rejected the company's business plan, the company's leadership and an unacceptable pay offer. | CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said: "We are expecting a 'yes' vote which will show clearly that Royal Mail workers have rejected the company's business plan, the company's leadership and an unacceptable pay offer. |
| "This is the clearest message we have had from the workforce so the Royal Mail has to listen and return to serious negotiations." | "This is the clearest message we have had from the workforce so the Royal Mail has to listen and return to serious negotiations." |
| The union is holding three ballots, covering 127,000 Royal Mail workers as well as two separate groups of employees involved in pay and jobs disputes. | The union is holding three ballots, covering 127,000 Royal Mail workers as well as two separate groups of employees involved in pay and jobs disputes. |
| If Life on Mars were about 1970s industrial relations, the current dispute between Royal Mail and its workforce could be an episode Robert PestonBBC Business Editor Read Robert Peston's blog | |
| About 5,000 union members working in Post Offices are being balloted in protest at closures, pay and moving post offices inside WH Smith stores. | About 5,000 union members working in Post Offices are being balloted in protest at closures, pay and moving post offices inside WH Smith stores. |
| And cash handlers, who deliver money to branches, are also voting on a strike. | And cash handlers, who deliver money to branches, are also voting on a strike. |
| 'Realistic and fair' | 'Realistic and fair' |
| A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Whatever the result of the ballot, it will not change the absolute need for Royal Mail to modernise, which is in the interests of everyone in the company. | A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Whatever the result of the ballot, it will not change the absolute need for Royal Mail to modernise, which is in the interests of everyone in the company. |
| "Mail volumes have already fallen and more people are using electronic communications." | "Mail volumes have already fallen and more people are using electronic communications." |
| The company's rivals were already 40% more efficient than Royal Mail, the spokesman added. | The company's rivals were already 40% more efficient than Royal Mail, the spokesman added. |
| Royal Mail says has made a "realistic and fair" offer which includes a 2.5% increase in basic pensionable pay. | Royal Mail says has made a "realistic and fair" offer which includes a 2.5% increase in basic pensionable pay. |
| The offer also comprises an £800 share dividend and a 50% share in any savings above budget in an employee's local unit. | The offer also comprises an £800 share dividend and a 50% share in any savings above budget in an employee's local unit. |
| James Greenbury, chief executive of rival firm DX Group, said he expected to add more customers in June alone than in the last 12 months if postal workers do go ahead with the proposed strike. | James Greenbury, chief executive of rival firm DX Group, said he expected to add more customers in June alone than in the last 12 months if postal workers do go ahead with the proposed strike. |