Postal strike averted at the final hour

Updated 16.43 Thu Aug 09 2007

Keywords: TUC, Communication Workers Union, Royal Mail

A fresh wave of strikes by postal workers has been called off to allow new talks to be held.

Workers in mail centres and airports were due to walk out for 24 hours from 7pm, followed by action from different groups of employees, including delivery staff.

Workers in mail centres and airports were due to walk out for 24 hours from 7pm, followed by action from different groups of employees, including delivery staff

Members of the Communication Workers Union have been taking action for weeks after rejecting a 2.5 per cent pay offer and warning that the Royal Mail's modernisation plans will lead to the loss of up to 40,000 jobs.

The action was suspended following a meeting between Royal Mail chairman Allan Leighton and chief executive Adam Crozier and Billy Hayes and Dave Ward, leaders of the CWU.

Talks will now be held on all the issues at the centre of the dispute, with a view to reaching a deal by September 4.

A joint statement said the talks will now be hosted by the TUC.