This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/7046191.stm
The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Latest postal strike called off | Latest postal strike called off |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) has called off strike action which had been set for later this week. | |
| The suspension comes as the union's executive continues talks on whether to accept a Royal Mail deal. | The suspension comes as the union's executive continues talks on whether to accept a Royal Mail deal. |
| The CWU must decide whether or not to recommend the offer, which is aimed at resolving a long-running row over pay, jobs and pensions. | The CWU must decide whether or not to recommend the offer, which is aimed at resolving a long-running row over pay, jobs and pensions. |
| An announcement is expected later today on whether the CWU will accept 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. |
| The union had plans for strikes to be carried out in various parts of the country on different days this week. | The union had plans for strikes to be carried out in various parts of the country on different days this week. |
| But CWU's failure to serve the notice correctly meant strikes planned for Monday and Tuesday had to be called off following a Royal Mail injunction, explained a union representative. Other strikes could still take place. | But CWU's failure to serve the notice correctly meant strikes planned for Monday and Tuesday had to be called off following a Royal Mail injunction, explained a union representative. Other strikes could still take place. |
| The CWU told the BBC an agreement on whether to continue with planned strikes was likely to be resolved on Tuesday afternoon. | The CWU told the BBC an agreement on whether to continue with planned strikes was likely to be resolved on Tuesday afternoon. |
| Marathon talks | Marathon talks |
| Leaders of the CWU are presenting the terms of the deal to the union's executive at their headquarters in Wimbledon. | Leaders of the CWU are presenting the terms of the deal to the union's executive at their headquarters in Wimbledon. |
| 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 locally | 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 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. |
| Despite Friday's agreement, wildcat strikes have continued to disrupt services in some areas. | Despite Friday's agreement, wildcat strikes have continued to disrupt services in some areas. |
| Unofficial action has been taking place in Yorkshire and Liverpool, with union representatives in Yorkshire reportedly opposed to working later hours. | Unofficial action has been taking place in Yorkshire and Liverpool, with union representatives in Yorkshire reportedly opposed to working later hours. |
| In a survey of more than 250 company heads, half of the respondents said the strike had cost their companies at least £1,000. | 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. |
| Flexible working | Flexible 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 would be needed to approve the deal. The results would be declared one month later. | A simple majority would be needed to approve the deal. The results would be declared one month later. |
| While no details have been released, 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. | While no details have been released, 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. |
| 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. |