Copyright BBC News – 15/10/2009
The CWU has announced that two 24 hour nationwide postal strikes will begin on Thursday 22 October 2009. On the first day, mail centre staff and drivers will strike, whereas on the next day it will be delivery and collection staff.
Royal Mail, which is reported as having rejected a peace deal offered by the union, has apparently condemned the strikes as “an appalling and unjustified attack on customers”; for the Communication Workers Union Dave Ward is quoted as saying “We made a genuine offer to Royal Mail that would have given space for detailed discussions without a strike…”
Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, has issued a statement saying: “I very much regret this decision by the CWU. Candidly, I think it is suicidal…….The CWU should turn their backs on industrial action and sit down with the Royal Mail and resolve this dispute. That is what is in the interests of the Royal Mail, their members and the country.”
See also Financial Times 15th October 2009 “Anger at post strike plan” and the Guardian 15th October 2009 “Postal crisis to worsen as peace talks collapse.”
http://www.scotlawman.co.uk
http://www.netlawman.co.uk
