Postal dispute finally over

Updated 15.28 Tue Nov 27 2007

Keywords: post, Royal Mail

The long-running postal dispute is finally at an end, with workers having overwhelmingly backed a deal on pay and conditions.

The Communication Workers Union said its members voted by 64 per cent in favour of an agreement and will now receive a pay rise of 6.9 per cent over two years. Turnout in the ballot was also 64 per cent.

Members voted by 64 per cent in favour of an agreement and will now receive a pay rise of 6.9 per cent over two years

Postal workers across the country have been involved in industrial action against Royal Mail since the summer, including a series of crippling strikes over pay and jobs.

Dave Ward, the union's deputy general secretary, said: "Rather than accept market rate strategy for pay, this deal sets the benchmark for the whole of the postal industry to follow.

"The CWU has always recognised that change is needed in the Royal Mail and this agreement demonstrates that the union is leading the change agenda.

"The strong acceptance of this deal by postal workers shows that they also recognise that change is needed in the business."