Royal Mail dispute 'over' as postal workers accept new deal

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Postal workers have voted to accept a deal on pay, hours and conditions, ending the long-running Royal Mail dispute, it was announced today.

The Communication Workers Union said its members backed a proposed agreement including a three year wage rise worth 6.9%, job security and improved industrial relations, by two to one.

Postal workers staged a series of strikes last October, delaying mail deliveries, in a bitter row over job losses and working conditions.

The union said that over the next three years, modern machinery and new operational methods will be introduced into the company and a "culture of co-operation" will see the CWU fully involved with the phasing in of each stage.

Job security guarantees include full-time staff making up at least three quarters of the workforce while wages will improve year-on-year, along with further lump sums as transformation is rolled out, as well an hour off the working week.

Dave Ward, the CWU's deputy general secretary, said: "This is a strong ballot result for a strong deal and we're delighted that our members have fully supported this hard fought for agreement. The deal recognises the importance of staff in successfully implementing change and rewarding people for the work.

"Job security was a major issue for us given the changes ahead. The deal commits Royal Mail to retaining full-time staff, improved flexibility and a voluntary approach to any redundancies.

"It was obvious to everyone involved that the old them and us mentality simply had to go. Industrial relations have to improve and we're all committed to that.

"Now the challenge is on for us all to prove in practice that we can all work together to build a positive future for our industry, our members and the public whom we serve."

The Royal Mail warmly welcomed the vote, saying the three-year agreement paved the way for the letters business to continue with its "much-needed" £2 billion modernisation, including the introduction of new automated machinery and delivery equipment.

Mark Higson, managing director of Royal Mail Letters, said: "This is a great outcome for Royal Mail, its customers and its people.

"We're already more than halfway through our £2 billion modernisation plan and we're all now focused on getting on with the changes that will give Royal Mail a strong and successful future, and will protect the future of the universal service."

Roger Poole, who chaired talks between the Royal Mail and the CWU, said he was "delighted" with the ballot result, adding: "The months of hard work by the Royal Mail and CWU negotiators helped by me and Acas have now been rewarded by the CWU members' endorsement.

"More hard work now needs to be put in by all to make the transformation real. There are many fine words in the agreement but the parties know that it is deeds not words which now matter."

John Taylor, chief executive of Acas, said: "I very much welcome the result of the ballot. Acas was highly involved in helping to resolve this long running dispute, moving Royal Mail and CWU from conflict to constructive joint working."