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Postal union due to resume talks Postal union due to resume talks
(about 8 hours later)
Leaders of the main postal union are due to meet for a third day of talks as they continue to debate whether to recommend a deal with the Royal Mail. Postal union leaders are set to meet for a third day of talks as they decide whether to recommend a Royal Mail offer on pay and conditions to workers.
While the Communication Workers' Union has called off this week's strikes, its executive has yet to back last week's outline agreement with the Royal Mail. While the Communication Workers' Union has called off this week's strikes, its executive has yet to back Royal Mail's outline agreement made on Friday.
The Royal Mail has offered the union a 6.9% pay rise over two years and consultation on pension reform.The Royal Mail has offered the union a 6.9% pay rise over two years and consultation on pension reform.
A series of strikes in recent weeks has cost the Royal Mail more than £200m. A series of strikes in recent weeks has cost the Royal Mail an estimated £200m.
Despite the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) calling off this week's official industrial action, some of its members in Liverpool have continued to hold wildcat walkouts, joined on Tuesday by staff in Normanton in West Yorkshire.Despite the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) calling off this week's official industrial action, some of its members in Liverpool have continued to hold wildcat walkouts, joined on Tuesday by staff in Normanton in West Yorkshire.
The strikes have been in reaction to plans to alter working patterns.
Marathon talksMarathon talks
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
Last week's outline agreement was hammered out during marathon talks between Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier and CWU representatives.Last week's outline agreement was hammered out during marathon talks between Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier and CWU representatives.
It is not yet known if the CWU leadership will recommend the deal to its members, but some reports suggest they are moving closer to such a move.It is not yet known if the CWU leadership will recommend the deal to its members, but some reports suggest they are moving closer to such a move.
A ballot of the CWU's 130,000 Royal Mail members would then be called, with simple majority needed to approve the deal. The results would be declared one month later. If the deal is recommended, a ballot of the CWU's 130,000 Royal Mail members would then be called, with simple majority needed to approve it. 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. The BBC understands that as well as the 6.9% pay offer, workers will be given 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 there would be consultation on ending the Royal Mail's 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.
In a survey of more than 250 company heads, half of the respondents said the recent strikes 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.