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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Post union chiefs to discuss deal | Post union chiefs to discuss deal |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Postal workers' union leaders are preparing to meet to decide whether to accept a deal to end strike action at the Royal Mail. | |
| If the postal executive of the Communication Workers' Union accepts the settlement, a ballot of 130,000 workers will be called. | If the postal executive of the Communication Workers' Union accepts the settlement, a ballot of 130,000 workers will be called. |
| The agreement, brokered on Friday, aims to end the long-running dispute over pay, pensions and working practices. | |
| Despite Friday's outline deal, some wildcat action continued on Monday. | |
| Liverpool and parts of London are affected by this unofficial action, which will add to a backlog of mail in those areas. | |
| Hard-fought | Hard-fought |
| Leaders of the union will present the terms to the executive at their headquarters in Wimbledon, south-west London, at 1400 BST. | Leaders of the union will present the terms to the executive at their headquarters in Wimbledon, south-west London, at 1400 BST. |
| I think there is a sensible deal that's been hammered out, and I think everyone is just hoping that now the union will support this on Monday Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton | I think there is a sensible deal that's been hammered out, and I think everyone is just hoping that now the union will support this on Monday Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton |
| The balloting of Royal Mail workers would be by post, with each member getting one vote. | The balloting of Royal Mail workers would be by post, with each member getting one vote. |
| A simple majority would be required to approve the deal, and the results would be declared one month later. | A simple majority would be required to approve the deal, and the results would be declared one month later. |
| Neither side in the dispute, which began in June, has commented on the terms of an agreement, and the details are expected to be released after the meeting. | |
| But the deal is understood to include reform of the company's pension scheme, a pay rise this year of about 2.5% and changes to long-standing working practices. | But the deal is understood to include reform of the company's pension scheme, a pay rise this year of about 2.5% and changes to long-standing working practices. |
| Wild-cat strikes | Wild-cat strikes |
| The union has said Royal Mail's modernisation plans - which include the introduction of more flexible working patterns - could result in the loss of 40,000 jobs. | The union has said Royal Mail's modernisation plans - which include the introduction of more flexible working patterns - could result in the loss of 40,000 jobs. |
| It has also accused the company of attaching "unacceptable conditions" to its pay offer. | It has also accused the company of attaching "unacceptable conditions" to its pay offer. |
| A series of 48-hour stoppages and unofficial walkouts has brought chaos to the postal network in recent weeks, left a huge backlog of undelivered mail, and is estimated to have cost the Royal Mail more than £200m. | |
| Friday's deal came hours after the Royal Mail won an injunction at London's High Court outlawing a new wave of scheduled strikes. | Friday's deal came hours after the Royal Mail won an injunction at London's High Court outlawing a new wave of scheduled strikes. |
| But the injunction did not prevent wildcat stoppages on Saturday at delivery offices in London and Liverpool. | |
| 'Damaged' | 'Damaged' |
| Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton told BBC One's Andrew Marr show on Sunday that he hoped the dispute could now be brought to an end. | Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton told BBC One's Andrew Marr show on Sunday that he hoped the dispute could now be brought to an end. |
| He said it had damaged Royal Mail, but he backed the firm's management and said the proposed deal would put the business on a more competitive footing. | He said it had damaged Royal Mail, but he backed the firm's management and said the proposed deal would put the business on a more competitive footing. |
| "I think there is a sensible deal that's been hammered out, and I think everyone is just hoping that now the union will support this on Monday," said Mr Hutton. | "I think there is a sensible deal that's been hammered out, and I think everyone is just hoping that now the union will support this on Monday," said Mr Hutton. |
| Royal Mail said on Saturday that 98% of its 1,500 sites were now operating normally and urged all its staff to return to work on Monday. | Royal Mail said on Saturday that 98% of its 1,500 sites were now operating normally and urged all its staff to return to work on Monday. |
| Royal Mail said in a statement over the weekend: "We will deal with all mail in the order in which we received it, and will reinstate all service guarantees and promises as soon as we are able to honour them." | Royal Mail said in a statement over the weekend: "We will deal with all mail in the order in which we received it, and will reinstate all service guarantees and promises as soon as we are able to honour them." |