Unions announce further postal strikes

Sat Oct 31 2009 00:06:33

Union leaders have announced that a fresh wave of postal strikes will be held next week in an escalation of the bitter Royal Mail dispute.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) served notice of further walk-outs to take place next Friday, November 6 and on Monday November 9.

The move came after mediators said both sides would be considering a series of proposals designed to end the "high pressure dispute" this weekend, with further talks planned for next week.

Up to 120,000 CWU members will walk out from 3am on both days, causing huge disruption to mail deliveries.

Earlier, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber, who has chaired the talks between Royal Mail managers and the CWU, said more work was needed to "finalise the terms of a possible settlement".

He added that both sides would consider "a number of proposals" over the weekend and consult with colleagues "with a view to returning to the TUC for further negotiations early next week".

A Royal Mail spokeswoman said she could not give an estimate of how long it will take to clear the 35 million items of mail delayed by this week's strikes.

But she added the company "continues to do all it reasonably and legally can to clear mail delayed by the CWU's strikes and get the post to our customers as soon as possible".

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