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Union to talk to Royal Mail again Union to talk to Royal Mail again
(19 minutes later)
Leaders of the main postal union are to meet again with Royal Mail management on Thursday. Leaders of the main postal union are to meet again with management of Royal Mail on Thursday as attempts continue to resolve the postal dispute.
The Communication Workers Union (CWU) will seek to clarify outstanding issues about a proposed deal which includes a 6.9% pay rise over two years. The Communication Workers' Union (CWU) wants to clarify outstanding issues about a proposed deal, which includes a 6.9% pay rise over two years.
For two days, the union's executive has been meeting to discuss whether to recommend the offer. For two days, the union's executive has been meeting to discuss whether to recommend the offer to its members.
The CWU has called off this week's strikes but it is not clear whether it will back the deal. The CWU has called off this week's strikes while the offer is discussed.
A series of strikes in recent weeks has cost the Royal Mail an estimated £200m.A series of strikes in recent weeks has cost the Royal Mail an estimated £200m.
Wildcat strikes Despite the CWU decision to call off this week's official industrial action, some of its members have continued to hold wildcat walkouts.
Despite the CWU decision to call off this week's official industrial action, some of its members in Liverpool and Yorkshire have continued to hold wildcat walkouts. A row over shift times has led to wildcat strikes in Liverpool for the past seven days.
The strikes have been in reaction to plans to alter working patterns. Further talks
Last week's outline agreement was hammered out during marathon talks between Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier and CWU representatives. In a statement, the CWU said: "Further negotiations took place last week between the CWU and Royal Mail's chief executive, Adam Crozier. Following those negotiations, proposed terms to settle the dispute were presented to the postal executive over the last two days.
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. "The TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, has now invited both parties for a further meeting, so that the CWU can clarify the remaining outstanding issues.
"In light of these developments, it was also agreed to suspend the current round of industrial action."
Royal Mail said it had agreed to meet the CWU to clarify outstanding issues, but it added that "the agreement reached and endorsed last Friday by CWU general secretary Billy Hayes and deputy general secretary Dave Ward stands."
Pension talks
Last week's outline agreement was hammered out during marathon talks between Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier and the CWU.
If the deal is recommended, a ballot of the CWU's 130,000 Royal Mail members would then be called, with a simple majority needed to approve it. The results would be declared one month later.
The BBC understands that as well as the 6.9% pay offer, workers will be given 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, there would be consultation on ending the Royal Mail's current final salary pension scheme.In addition, 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.