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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Post union chiefs to discuss deal | Post union chiefs to discuss deal |
| (8 minutes later) | |
| Postal workers' union leaders are meeting to decide whether to accept a deal to end nationwide strike action at the Royal Mail. | |
| If the postal executive of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) 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 BBC has learned that under Friday's outline deal, CWU members will get a 6.9% pay rise over 18 months. | 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 agreement, some wildcat action continued on Monday. | Despite Friday's agreement, some wildcat action continued on Monday. |
| Liverpool and parts of London are affected by the unofficial action, which is likely to add to the backlog of mail in these 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-fought | Hard-fought |
| Leaders of the CWU started to present the terms of the deal to the union's executive at their headquarters in Wimbledon, south-west London, just after 1400 BST. | |
| A CWU spokeswoman said the meeting could run over into Tuesday. | |
| 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 Liverpool walkout | 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 Liverpool walkout |
| Any ballot 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 yet commented on the terms of an agreement, and the full 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The CWU has previously said that the Royal Mail's modernisation plans would cost 40,000 jobs. | The CWU has previously said that the Royal Mail's modernisation plans would cost 40,000 jobs. |
| 'Sensible deal' | '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. |
| 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 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." |