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More talks as post strike goes on Talks continue amid post strike
(about 9 hours later)
Talks between the postal workers' union and Royal Mail will begin again later as a strike over pay and job cuts continues to disrupt services. Talks have continued between the postal workers' union and Royal Mail, as a 48-hour strike over pay and job cuts disrupts service.
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU), representing 130,000 postal workers, began the first of two 48-hour walkouts at noon on Thursday. Communication Workers Union (CWU) members began the first of two walkouts at noon on Thursday.
With another strike planned for Monday, the row will end deliveries for a week. The union said it remained "hopeful" but another two-day strike is set for Monday, adding to the disruption.
Meanwhile, Unite, which represents 12,000 managers, has struck a deal with Royal Mail on pay and pensions.Meanwhile, Unite, which represents 12,000 managers, has struck a deal with Royal Mail on pay and pensions.
It has agreed a pay rise of 7.3% over two years - but has also accepted the replacement of the current final salary pension scheme with a "career-average" scheme instead.It has agreed a pay rise of 7.3% over two years - but has also accepted the replacement of the current final salary pension scheme with a "career-average" scheme instead.
Royal Mail had previously denied that it wanted to alter the pension scheme in this way.Royal Mail had previously denied that it wanted to alter the pension scheme in this way.
The union will now work with Royal Mail to help modernise and secure the future of the business.The union will now work with Royal Mail to help modernise and secure the future of the business.
HAVE YOUR SAY Anyone else smell a winter of discontent coming? Claire Herbert, London Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Anyone else smell a winter of discontent coming? Claire Herbert, London Send us your comments
The company is likely to exploit the contrast between the approaches of the two unions.The company is likely to exploit the contrast between the approaches of the two unions.
CWU members will return to picket lines on Friday. CWU members returned to picket lines on Friday and said support for the strike had been "overwhelming".
Talks aimed at solving the dispute carried on late into Thursday night with no evidence emerging that any progress had been made. But Royal Mail rejected such claims, arguing that in some places up to 90% of workers were working "as normal" and that 35,000 had come to work in the strike's first day.
The union plans to stage rolling strikes each Monday - starting this Monday at 0300 BST - until the dispute is resolved.The union plans to stage rolling strikes each Monday - starting this Monday at 0300 BST - until the dispute is resolved.
'Hugely disappointed''Hugely disappointed'
The dispute centres on the union's refusal to accept a pay offer of 2.5% as well as modernisation plans, which it believes will put about 40,000 jobs at risk. The dispute centres on the union's refusal to accept a pay offer of 2.5% as well as modernisation plans, which it believes will threaten about 40,000 jobs.
Rather than accept a solution, the union continues to table unrealistic and unaffordable proposals that fail to deliver the flexibility and efficiency we so urgently need Royal Mail Behind the picket line Who benefits from the strike? Royal Mail pension changes The union continues to table unrealistic and unaffordable proposals that fail to deliver the flexibility and efficiency we so urgently need Royal Mail Behind the picket line Who benefits from the strike? Royal Mail pension changes
Royal Mail said it was "hugely disappointed and extremely concerned" that talks had failed to reach agreement.Royal Mail said it was "hugely disappointed and extremely concerned" that talks had failed to reach agreement.
A spokesman said: "Rather than accept a solution, the union continues to table unrealistic and unaffordable proposals that fail to deliver the flexibility and efficiency we so urgently need if we are to compete in today's challenging market place." A spokesman said: "The union continues to table unrealistic and unaffordable proposals that fail to deliver the flexibility and efficiency we so urgently need if we are to compete in today's challenging market place."
Strike action would not change "the urgent need for Royal Mail to modernise and become more flexible and efficient", the spokesman added.
The company fears loss of business because of strikes.The company fears loss of business because of strikes.
CWU general secretary Billy Hayes, meanwhile, criticised the government for showing "complete disinterest" in the dispute.CWU general secretary Billy Hayes, meanwhile, criticised the government for showing "complete disinterest" in the dispute.
There is no indication of their concern in the slightest - the government have been deafening by their silence CWU
"This is a company that they own and they seem to have no interest whatsoever," he said."This is a company that they own and they seem to have no interest whatsoever," he said.
"There is no indication of their concern in the slightest - the government have been deafening by their silence." The government says it is up to the union and management to resolve the strike.
But the government says it is up to the union and management to resolve the strike without government help.
A Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform spokesman said: "The government has been encouraging and will continue to encourage the parties involved to pursue and find a solution through talks.
"No-one will benefit from strike action. Strike action can only damage Royal Mail's business and the postal services market as a whole."