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Postal union deal talks to resume Postal union deal talks to resume
(39 minutes later)
Postal workers' union leaders are to resume talks on whether to accept a deal to end Royal Mail strikes.Postal workers' union leaders are to resume talks on whether to accept a deal to end Royal Mail strikes.
The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) must decide whether to recommend the deal, aimed at resolving a long-running row over pay, jobs and pensions.The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) must decide whether to recommend the deal, aimed at resolving a long-running row over pay, jobs and pensions.
The deal, to be discussed on Tuesday, is thought to give CWU members a 6.9% pay rise over 18 months.The deal, to be discussed on Tuesday, is thought to give CWU members a 6.9% pay rise over 18 months.
A series of 48-hour stoppages and unofficial walkouts is estimated to have cost Royal Mail more than £200m.A series of 48-hour stoppages and unofficial walkouts is estimated to have cost Royal Mail more than £200m.
Marathon talksMarathon talks
Leaders of the CWU will resume presenting the terms of the deal to the union's executive at their headquarters in Wimbledon, south-west London on Tuesday.Leaders of the CWU will resume presenting the terms of the deal to the union's executive at their headquarters in Wimbledon, south-west London on Tuesday.
DEAL POINTS 6.9% pay rise from 1 October 07 to 1 April 09Consultation on ending final salary pension schemeFlexible working to be trialled and agreed locallyDEAL POINTS 6.9% pay rise from 1 October 07 to 1 April 09Consultation on ending final salary pension schemeFlexible working to be trialled and agreed locally
The agreement was hammered out last week during marathon talks with Royal Mail's chief executive Adam Crozier.The agreement was hammered out last week during marathon talks with Royal Mail's chief executive Adam Crozier.
But despite Friday's agreement, some wildcat action continued on Monday affecting Liverpool and parts of London. Despite Friday's agreement, wildcat strikes have continued to disrupt services in some areas, with unofficial action taking place in Yorkshire and Liverpool on Tuesday.
And on Tuesday, service was disrupted in Yorkshire as hundreds of postal workers embarked on further strikes, according to reports. In a survey of more than 250 company heads, half of the respondents said the strike had cost their companies at least £1,000.
According to the London Chamber of Commerce, the nationwide mail strikes have cost the city more than £300m.According to the London Chamber of Commerce, the nationwide mail strikes have cost the city more than £300m.
And in a survey of more than 250 company heads, half of the respondents said the strike had cost their companies at least £1,000.
Flexible workingFlexible working
A ballot of 130,000 workers will be called if the CWU accepts the Royal Mail settlement.A ballot of 130,000 workers will be called if the CWU accepts the Royal Mail settlement.
A simple majority is needed to approve the deal, and the results would be declared one month later.A simple majority is needed 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.Neither side in the dispute, which began in June, has yet commented on the terms of an agreement.
However, the BBC understands that the 6.9% pay rise over 18 months will consist of a 5.4% pay rise between 1 October 2007 and 1 April 2008, followed by a 1.5% pay rise from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2009. Workers will also receive a lump sum payment of £175.However, the BBC understands that the 6.9% pay rise over 18 months will consist of a 5.4% pay rise between 1 October 2007 and 1 April 2008, followed by a 1.5% pay rise from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2009. Workers will also receive a lump sum payment of £175.
In addition, the CWU has agreed to support consultation on ending the current final salary pension scheme.In addition, the CWU has agreed to support consultation on ending the current final salary pension scheme.
Regarding Royal Mail's modernisation plans - including more flexible working patterns - there is said to be no UK-wide agreement.Regarding Royal Mail's modernisation plans - including more flexible working patterns - there is said to be no UK-wide agreement.
But the BBC has learned that there will be a range of trials and that changes will be agreed locally by unions and regional Royal Mail management.But the BBC has learned that there will be a range 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.