Future Watford post strikes a 'fairly remote' chance after p

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/news/5 ... _pay_deal/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The chances of future strike action by Royal Mail workers has become “fairly remote” after staff agreed a deal over pay and conditions, a union representative has said.

Deliveries ground to a halt in October as Communication Workers Union (CWU) members across the Watford area walked-out in a dispute over pay, job cuts and modernisation.

During five days of action in three weeks, businesses and residents faced lengthy postal delays as a large backlog built up at the Ascot Road depot.

When an uneasy truce was declared shortly before Christmas, further industrial action was threatened unless an agreement between the two sides was reached.

The final terms of that agreement, finally announced this week, appear to have brought an end to the dispute. The compromise includes a seven per cent over three years, a cut in the working week to 40 hours, and an instant payment of £2,500 to members who agree modernisation terms.

Trevor Flowers, chairman of the CWU Watford branch, said that, although his members’ actions had won vital concessions from the Royal Mail, many jobs would still be lost.

He added, however, that strike action had been worthwhile.

He said: “When we embarked on this campaign Royal Mail’s view was that there was no more money and that they were not looking to change their mind. Obviously, now they have pulled back from that position.

“We hope now that we can move forward on a common sense basis. We have realised that change was coming but we wanted a structured change and not the slash and burn that was proposed.

“It’s obviously not over until the national members have voted on it but I would say the chances of more strike action was fairly remote.”

The terms of the agreement must now be ratified in a national vote by CWU members.

[Dogs of War]

There still can be a strike because the deal is just not good a enough.

[smokerjim]

I like this bit from the area CWU chairman...

He said: “When we embarked on this campaign Royal Mail’s view was that there was no more money and that they were not looking to change their mind. Obviously, now they have pulled back from that position.

Of course they've 'pulled back from that position' cos they've found more money, by cutting delivery staff's supplements!!!