Postal workers accept pay deal

Postal workers have voted to accept a deal on pay (PA)

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."