13 September 2007 Edition
No agreement reached in Postal Dispute
Sinn Féin Foyle MLA Raymond McCartney has said he is disappointed that talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have concluded without an agreement being reached on the long running dispute.
“I am extremely disappointed that talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) have concluded without an agreement being reached. There were hopes that the talks would have brought an end to this long running dispute”, McCartney said.
“The CWU has expressed concerns over Royal Mail’s business plan which they say could lead to 40,000 job losses, a pay cut for postal workers and the closure of mail centres and delivery offices.
“The CWU have said that Royal Mail has informed them that the period of calm agreed after the recent industrial action is over and they will now prepare to run the business and move change forward. The union has informed Royal Mail that they were prepared to continue with the talks and extend the period of calm.
“I hope Royal Mail bosses take the union up on their offer and get back into talks as ultimately all sides will lose if this strike action escalates again in the weeks and months ahead”, he said
“I am extremely disappointed that talks between Royal Mail and the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) have concluded without an agreement being reached. There were hopes that the talks would have brought an end to this long running dispute”, McCartney said.
“The CWU has expressed concerns over Royal Mail’s business plan which they say could lead to 40,000 job losses, a pay cut for postal workers and the closure of mail centres and delivery offices.
“The CWU have said that Royal Mail has informed them that the period of calm agreed after the recent industrial action is over and they will now prepare to run the business and move change forward. The union has informed Royal Mail that they were prepared to continue with the talks and extend the period of calm.
“I hope Royal Mail bosses take the union up on their offer and get back into talks as ultimately all sides will lose if this strike action escalates again in the weeks and months ahead”, he said