Further strikes as post talks fail

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 09 Oct 2007, 07:41

http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM ... OOOt4tWzvQ

Talks aimed at resolving the bitter postal workers dispute have ended without agreement - dashing hopes of an end to the disruption to mail deliveries.

Officials from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) and Royal Mail managers met for eight consecutive days to try to reach a deal in a long-running row over pay, jobs and pensions.

Some progress was made at the talks, held under the chairmanship of TUC general-secretary Brendon Barber, but the negotiations have ended with the row still deadlocked.

Up to 130,000 members of the union walked out on a fresh 48-hour strike at 3am on Monday following another two-day stoppage last week which has crippled mail deliveries. The union has announced more industrial action from next Monday, threatening further disruption to mail services.

Mr Barber said: "I am very disappointed that this phase of intensive talks has not resolved the dispute when real progress has been made, and we have been edging towards an agreement. I will be keeping in close touch with the CWU and Royal Mail to continue to seek to find a way forward".

The Royal Mail said it was "hugely disappointed and extremely concerned" that the talks had not resolved the dispute.

The firm said in a statement: "After a weekend of intense negotiations, the CWU is still refusing to accept the flexibility that Royal Mail urgently needs if it is to modernise and survive.

"Royal Mail has offered both short and longer-term solutions on pay within the 2.5% we can afford for pay this year.

"We have now been talking to the union for seven months on pay, modernisation and pensions, but rather than accept a solution the union continues to table unrealistic proposals that fail to deliver the efficiency needed if we are to compete in today's challenging market place".

Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier said the talks were not about one issue - flexibility.

Wild Rover · Post by **Wild Rover** » 09 Oct 2007, 08:32

"We have now been talking to the union for seven months on pay, modernisation and pensions, but rather than accept a solution the union continues to table unrealistic proposals that fail to deliver the efficiency needed if we are to compete in today's challenging market place".

Pot, kettle black

Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier said the talks were not about one issue - flexibility.

Found him!!!

:cfo

Broxi51 · Post by **Broxi51** » 09 Oct 2007, 08:36

Wild Rover wrote:

Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier said the talks were not about one issue - flexibility.
Found him!!! :cfo

Funny that about crozier. In todays telegraph he states that flexibility is the only hurdle.

He reckons we should work the hours we are contracted to every week

Post by **disheartened** » 09 Oct 2007, 08:45

Am i to gather then......that talks will not be ongoing?Get 'em back in that room and talk.The TUC who are helping to broker the talks must be shaking theirs heads in disbelief.