This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7032582.stm

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
War of words amid postal strike War of words amid postal strike
(about 2 hours later)
The Royal Mail has accused the Communication Workers' Union of talking "cobblers" as a 48-hour strike hits mail services.The Royal Mail has accused the Communication Workers' Union of talking "cobblers" as a 48-hour strike hits mail services.
The war of words flared as Royal Mail boss Adam Crozier rubbished the main postal workers' union's suggestion that the firm treats its staff as "slaves".The war of words flared as Royal Mail boss Adam Crozier rubbished the main postal workers' union's suggestion that the firm treats its staff as "slaves".
Talking to BBC Radio 4 Today's show, Mr Crozier said the Royal Mail expected its workers to work their paid hours.Talking to BBC Radio 4 Today's show, Mr Crozier said the Royal Mail expected its workers to work their paid hours.
The row came as up to 130,000 CWU members strike over pay and pensions.The row came as up to 130,000 CWU members strike over pay and pensions.
Postal workers began the 48-hour strike early on Monday after eight days of talks between the Royal Mail and CWU union officials ended without an agreement.Postal workers began the 48-hour strike early on Monday after eight days of talks between the Royal Mail and CWU union officials ended without an agreement.
I am very disappointed that this phase of intensive talks has not resolved the dispute when real progress has been made Brendan BarberTUCI am very disappointed that this phase of intensive talks has not resolved the dispute when real progress has been made Brendan BarberTUC
'Flexibility at stake''Flexibility at stake'
"Flexibility is the main issue at stake," Mr Crozier told the BBC."Flexibility is the main issue at stake," Mr Crozier told the BBC.
Earlier, the CWU had said that some of its members would come to work at 6am, do a full day's work and at the end a manager could arbitrarily say whether they had worked hard enough for them to go home.Earlier, the CWU had said that some of its members would come to work at 6am, do a full day's work and at the end a manager could arbitrarily say whether they had worked hard enough for them to go home.
"I call that that slavery," said Dave Ward, CWU General Secretary. "I call that slavery," said Dave Ward, CWU General Secretary.
But Mr Crozier denied this kind of working practice ever happened.But Mr Crozier denied this kind of working practice ever happened.
He added: "We are simply asking people to work the 37 hours and 20 minutes they are getting paid to work and if they have to work longer, then of course they get paid overtime.He added: "We are simply asking people to work the 37 hours and 20 minutes they are getting paid to work and if they have to work longer, then of course they get paid overtime.
"For the union to say they can't accept that is frankly not a tenable position.""For the union to say they can't accept that is frankly not a tenable position."
'Continuous disruption''Continuous disruption'
Meanwhile, the CWU said a further week of "continuous disruption" to all services would begin next Monday if the dispute was not resolved.Meanwhile, the CWU said a further week of "continuous disruption" to all services would begin next Monday if the dispute was not resolved.
The latest 48-hour strike means households and businesses face another week of little or no mail with a warning of severe disruption during the strike and for some time after.The latest 48-hour strike means households and businesses face another week of little or no mail with a warning of severe disruption during the strike and for some time after.
HAVE YOUR SAY I appreciate they do a lot of work but the strike could lead to more job losses Kim Wood, Macclesfield Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY I appreciate they do a lot of work but the strike could lead to more job losses Kim Wood, Macclesfield Send us your comments
TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, who chaired the negotiations, said he would be keeping in close touch with both parties to "continue to seek to find a way forward".TUC general secretary Brendan Barber, who chaired the negotiations, said he would be keeping in close touch with both parties to "continue to seek to find a way forward".
"I am very disappointed that this phase of intensive talks has not resolved the dispute when real progress has been made and we have been edging towards an agreement," he added."I am very disappointed that this phase of intensive talks has not resolved the dispute when real progress has been made and we have been edging towards an agreement," he added.
On Monday night, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) said additional action would start next Monday when mail centre and airport staff would go on strike.On Monday night, the Communications Workers Union (CWU) said additional action would start next Monday when mail centre and airport staff would go on strike.
Action would also be taken by delivery staff and other employees later in the week, the CWU added.Action would also be taken by delivery staff and other employees later in the week, the CWU added.
Differences remainDifferences remain
Royal Mail management and the CWU are at loggerheads over plans to cut workers pension benefits in exchange for a 6.9% pay increase over two years.Royal Mail management and the CWU are at loggerheads over plans to cut workers pension benefits in exchange for a 6.9% pay increase over two years.
"Royal Mail's proposals also include flexibility proposals that mean, among other things, that postal workers will not know what job they are doing from one day to the next," a union spokesman said."Royal Mail's proposals also include flexibility proposals that mean, among other things, that postal workers will not know what job they are doing from one day to the next," a union spokesman said.
The union has refused to accept these conditions, while Royal Mail described union demands as "unrealistic".The union has refused to accept these conditions, while Royal Mail described union demands as "unrealistic".
Business groups have warned that the walkouts are causing immense disruption to the economy with reports suggesting the stoppages could cost the firm up to £260m.Business groups have warned that the walkouts are causing immense disruption to the economy with reports suggesting the stoppages could cost the firm up to £260m.
It is feared that costs will rise over the longer term as customers switch to other postal suppliers and electronic forms of communication.It is feared that costs will rise over the longer term as customers switch to other postal suppliers and electronic forms of communication.
CWU members also staged a 48-hour walkout last week in a row with the Royal Mail over the firm's modernisation's strategy.CWU members also staged a 48-hour walkout last week in a row with the Royal Mail over the firm's modernisation's strategy.
Royal Mail argues that reform of the business is vital to ensure it can compete effectively in a fully liberalised market but unions say the proposals will cost 40,000 jobs.Royal Mail argues that reform of the business is vital to ensure it can compete effectively in a fully liberalised market but unions say the proposals will cost 40,000 jobs.