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Talks over post strike break down War of words amid postal strike
(about 5 hours later)
Talks aimed at ending strike action by postal workers have broken down. The Royal Mail has accused the Communication Workers' Union of talking "cobblers" as a 48-hour strike hits mail services.
A second 48-hour strike over pay, pensions and job cuts began early on Monday morning with up to 130,000 staff staying away from work. 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 Communications Workers Union said a further week of "continuous disruption" to all services would begin next Monday if the dispute was not resolved. Talking to BBC Radio 4 Today's show, Mr Crozier said the Royal Mail expected its workers to work their paid hours.
Both Royal Mail and the union expressed disappointment that an eighth day of talks failed to resolve the dispute. The row came as up to 130,000 CWU members strike over pay and pensions.
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 Brendan BarberTUC 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 BarberTUC
'Flexibility at stake'
"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.
"I call that that slavery," said Dave Ward, CWU General Secretary.
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.
"For the union to say they can't accept that is frankly not a tenable position."
'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.
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 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 both criticised each other's negotiating positions. 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.
We simply want our people to work the hours they are already paid to work across the working week Adam Crozier, Royal Mail chief executive Postal woes bring cheer for some
Royal Mail described union demands as "unrealistic" while union officials accused the company of putting forward "unacceptable" conditions.
"We simply want our people to work the hours they are already paid to work across the working week using the equipment we are investing in to enable Royal Mail to compete and survive," said Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier.
"The fact that the union leadership finds this so difficult starkly contradicts their public claim to support modernisation and change."
The CWU said Royal Mail's offer of a 6.9% pay increase over two years was contingent on a cut in pension benefits which it could not accept.
"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.
HAVE YOUR SAY I appreciate they do a lot of work but the strike could lead to more job losses Kim Wood, Macclesfield class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3629&edition=1">Send us your comments The union has refused to accept these conditions, while Royal Mail described union demands as "unrealistic".
Striking postal workers held a rally in central London on Monday as the two sides disputed the level of support for the strike action.
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.