Talks stepped up after union gives formal notice of walkout

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Royal Mail strike: Talks stepped up after union gives formal notice of walkout

Communication Workers Union gives Royal Mail formal notice of a planned 24-hour stoppage next Monday

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Crunch talks to avert a nationwide strike by thousands of postal workers were stepped up today.

Royal Mail managers are due to meet the Communication Workers Union throughout this week to discuss a row over pay, pensions and job security in the wake of the postal giant’s recent privatisation.

Today’s negotiations gained added weight after the CWU gave Royal Mail formal notice of a 24-hour stoppage next Monday.

The strike threatens to be the first of many which could disrupt deliveries in the run-up to the busy Christmas period.

Royal Mail, with Moya Greene at the helm, and the CWU, led by general secretary Billy Hayes, insist they are both committed to resolving the dispute.

The firm’s share price hit a high of 567p at one stage today - more than 70% above the 330p the Government got for the taxpayers’ stake.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, who is leading the negotiations with Royal Mail, said: “Our members have clearly spoken that they care more about their jobs than they do about shares.

“It’s important that we secure a legally-binding, lasting agreement which will tackle the big issues facing postal workers in their work lives.”

[daveyeff]

its taken the threat of strike for them to take us seriously. it shows you what they think of the workforce.