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Post union chiefs to discuss deal Post union chiefs to discuss deal
(about 5 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.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 (CWU) 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. The BBC has learned that under Friday's outline deal, CWU members will get a 6.9% pay rise over 18 months.
Despite Friday's outline deal, some wildcat action continued on Monday. Despite Friday's agreement, 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. Liverpool and parts of London are affected by the unofficial action, which is likely to add to the backlog of mail in these areas.
Hard-foughtHard-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 were due to 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 class="" href="/1/hi/england/merseyside/7045266.stm">Liverpool walkout
The balloting of Royal Mail workers would be by post, with each member getting one vote. Any ballot 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. Neither side in the dispute, which began in June, has yet commented on the terms of an agreement, and the full 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. However, the BBC understands that, in addition to the 6.9% pay rise over 18 months plus a lump sum payment of £175, the CWU has agreed to support consultation on ending the current final salary pension scheme.
Wild-cat strikes On the question of Royal Mail's modernisation plans - which include the introduction of more flexible working patterns - there is said to be no UK-wide agreement.
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. Instead, the BBC has learned that there will be a number of trials and that changes will be agreed locally by unions and regional Royal Mail management.
It has also accused the company of attaching "unacceptable conditions" to its pay offer. The CWU has previously said that the Royal Mail's modernisation plans would cost 40,000 jobs.
'Sensible deal'
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.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'
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 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."