Royal Mail workers call off one-day strike after talks progress

Union and management say new agreement will include an improved pay offer and separate pensions agreement

A strike planned by Royal Mail workers in the aftermath of the company's recent privatisation has been called off after unions and management said talks were progressing.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) had given notice of a one-day strike by its 115,000 members in the postal service next Monday over issues including pay, pensions and the legal protections offered to employees.

However, in a joint statement issued on Wednesday afternoon, Royal Mail and the CWU said they had made progress in talks and committed to finalising an agreement in the next two weeks.

Workers had voted 4-1 in favour of industrial action in a ballot earlier this month, despite the company offering all staff a £300 bonus if they committed not to strike. Royal Mail had made an initial offer of an 8.6% pay rise over three years but an improved offer will now be made.

The new agreement will include legal protections for employees that extend beyond the current three years and a separate pensions agreement. According to the nine-point draft agreement, both parties also commit to "an agenda for growth underpinned by a culture of consensual change, timely decision making and industrial stability supported by alternative dispute resolution processes".

With controversial changes to the 500-year-old service being implemented, there was also a commitment to a "joint company/CWU charter shaping the ongoing values and principles of the Royal Mail Group".

Royal Mail agreed to extend the legal validity of the CWU's strike ballot until 20 November, giving the union the opportunity to still enact a strike if agreement is not finalised. But both parties pledged to "clear diaries to ensure all our efforts are focused on reaching an agreement by 13 November".

While Royal Mail staff will not be walking out, the 4,000 members of the CWU who work in the 372 crown post offices are still due to strike on Monday, in a separate dispute over pay, branch closures and job cuts.

Article Source : http://www.guardian.co.uk
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