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Court halts latest postal strike Court halts latest postal strike
(about 1 hour later)
The High Court has blocked official strike action planned by the postal workers' union for Monday and Tuesday.The High Court has blocked official strike action planned by the postal workers' union for Monday and Tuesday.
The Royal Mail was granted an injunction to stop Communication Workers' Union members at sorting and delivery offices from striking.The Royal Mail was granted an injunction to stop Communication Workers' Union members at sorting and delivery offices from striking.
Royal Mail says an irregularity in the way the strike notice was issued makes the action illegal. Royal Mail argued that the union had not given accurate figures for the number of staff affected by the strike, a legal requirement.
The union insisted the strike was legitimate because it fully complied with the law. The union insisted the strike was legitimate.
The CWU had announced rolling 24-hour strikes to start on Monday and end on Friday, designed to cause maximum disruption to mail services with minimal financial loss for its members.The CWU had announced rolling 24-hour strikes to start on Monday and end on Friday, designed to cause maximum disruption to mail services with minimal financial loss for its members.
Other parts of the Royal Mail, such as drivers, may still strike later in the week but it is understood the injunction against workers at sorting and delivery offices taking industrial action next week is a major coup for the struggling company in its efforts to reach a deal with union officials.Other parts of the Royal Mail, such as drivers, may still strike later in the week but it is understood the injunction against workers at sorting and delivery offices taking industrial action next week is a major coup for the struggling company in its efforts to reach a deal with union officials.
Royal Mail has said that the High Court injunction covers the whole of the UK.Royal Mail has said that the High Court injunction covers the whole of the UK.
Continuing disputeContinuing dispute
Meanwhile, talks to resolve the dispute are continuing at the TUC in London, with few signs that the two sides can reach an agreement.Meanwhile, talks to resolve the dispute are continuing at the TUC in London, with few signs that the two sides can reach an agreement.
With the question of pay seemingly resolved, the negotiations are focusing on two issues, pensions and flexible working.With the question of pay seemingly resolved, the negotiations are focusing on two issues, pensions and flexible working.
The CWU wants talks on the closure of the Royal Mail's final salary pension scheme to be separated out from any deal to end the strike, while Royal Mail insists they must be part of any settlement.The CWU wants talks on the closure of the Royal Mail's final salary pension scheme to be separated out from any deal to end the strike, while Royal Mail insists they must be part of any settlement.
PLANNED 24-HOUR STRIKES 15 October from 1800BST: Mail sorting offices and airports 16 October from 0300BST: Deliveries and collection hubs17 October from 1200BST: Royal Mail drivers 18 October from 1200BST: Manual data entry centres 18 October from 1400BST: Heathrow world distribution centre Source: CWU What is the strike about?PLANNED 24-HOUR STRIKES 15 October from 1800BST: Mail sorting offices and airports 16 October from 0300BST: Deliveries and collection hubs17 October from 1200BST: Royal Mail drivers 18 October from 1200BST: Manual data entry centres 18 October from 1400BST: Heathrow world distribution centre Source: CWU What is the strike about?
Negotiations on ending the practice of workers going home early if they have finished their work are also in deadlock.Negotiations on ending the practice of workers going home early if they have finished their work are also in deadlock.
Royal Mail says staff should be available to help with other jobs if their work is done - so-called flexible working.Royal Mail says staff should be available to help with other jobs if their work is done - so-called flexible working.
But the union says that in practice that will lead to staff working rigidly to the rules, which will lead to less work getting done.But the union says that in practice that will lead to staff working rigidly to the rules, which will lead to less work getting done.
Wildcat walkoutsWildcat walkouts
The unofficial protests - which began on Wednesday - have been sparked by what the union calls "management's imposition of unagreed changes" to working hours.The unofficial protests - which began on Wednesday - have been sparked by what the union calls "management's imposition of unagreed changes" to working hours.
Workers at all 21 delivery depots across Liverpool walked out over changes to shift patterns, with CWU branch representative Mark Walsh saying staff felt they were being "being bullied into having their contract changed".Workers at all 21 delivery depots across Liverpool walked out over changes to shift patterns, with CWU branch representative Mark Walsh saying staff felt they were being "being bullied into having their contract changed".
HAVE YOUR SAY The postal workers need to start work again now Chris, Durham Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The postal workers need to start work again now Chris, Durham Send us your comments
But Royal Mail condemned staff in Liverpool for the mass walkouts, saying they were "wholly unacceptable" and not supported by the CWU nationally.But Royal Mail condemned staff in Liverpool for the mass walkouts, saying they were "wholly unacceptable" and not supported by the CWU nationally.
"The issue of later start times is one we have been talking to our people about for months and has been accepted in 95% of our offices up and down the country," a spokesman added."The issue of later start times is one we have been talking to our people about for months and has been accepted in 95% of our offices up and down the country," a spokesman added.
Postal workers in east, south-west and south-east London also went back to the picket lines over the dispute.Postal workers in east, south-west and south-east London also went back to the picket lines over the dispute.
Meanwhile, staff in Edinburgh and Grangemouth walked out over pay deductions following recent official action.Meanwhile, staff in Edinburgh and Grangemouth walked out over pay deductions following recent official action.
Staff complained that cuts for strikes this week and last came out of one weekly wage. Royal Mail said the payroll calendar meant all deductions had to be taken at once.Staff complained that cuts for strikes this week and last came out of one weekly wage. Royal Mail said the payroll calendar meant all deductions had to be taken at once.
However, despite calls from MPs to intervene in the dispute, the government has said it will not take action.However, despite calls from MPs to intervene in the dispute, the government has said it will not take action.
On Thursday, Business Secretary John Hutton said that the current offer on the table from the Royal Mail to end the official disputes was a "decent and fair one" and he hoped the dispute would end as "quickly as possible".On Thursday, Business Secretary John Hutton said that the current offer on the table from the Royal Mail to end the official disputes was a "decent and fair one" and he hoped the dispute would end as "quickly as possible".
The comments came after Shadow Business Secretary Alan Duncan accused ministers of "lacking the will or direction" to end the strike.The comments came after Shadow Business Secretary Alan Duncan accused ministers of "lacking the will or direction" to end the strike.