More strikes announced as post dispute worsens

Fri Oct 30 2009 16:44:45

A fresh wave of postal strikes will be held next week in an escalation of the bitter Royal Mail dispute, union leaders have said.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) has announced two more walk-outs next Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.

Unlike the current strikes, which have involved members in different roles refusing to work on different days, the two new dates will be all-out strikes.

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

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 told reporters it was a "difficult and complex dispute". 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".

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