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Postal strike to move step closer Postal workers back strike action
(about 5 hours later)
A ballot of postal workers is expected to reveal strong support for the first national postal strike since 1996. Postal workers have voted strongly in favour of taking industrial action over pay, in what would be 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. About 66% of Communication Workers Union (CWU) members who voted in the ballot supported the move.
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. A series of walkouts will now be held by about 130,000 CWU members unless new talks can lead to a breakthrough in the dispute.
This is the clearest message we have had from the workforce so the Royal Mail has to listen and return to serious negotiations CWUThis 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 union said workers' pay should rise to the national average over the next five years. Royal Mail says this amounts to £1bn and is unaffordable.
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. The ballot result was announced at the union's annual conference in Bournemouth.
"This is the clearest message we have had from the workforce so the Royal Mail has to listen and return to serious negotiations." 'Need to modernise'
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. UK POSTAL MARKET FACTS Businesses send about 87% of all mailOnly 10% of mail is household to household, with 3% posted by the public to businessThe 500 biggest firms account for 50% of all mail sentThere are now 18 licensed mail operators, including Royal Mail, TNT Post UK, DHL Global Mail and UK Mail Source: Postcomm
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 class="" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/robertpeston/2007/06/who_runs_royal_mail.html">Read Robert Peston's blog The union held three ballots, covering 127,000 Royal Mail workers as well as two separate groups of employees involved in pay and jobs disputes.
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 were 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, also voted on a strike.
'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."
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
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.