Coalition underlines Royal Mail resolve
By Alex Stevenson The government has underlined its determination to part-privatise Royal Mail after being warned the postal market – and Royal Mail’s financial position – are continuing to deteriorate. Richard Hooper’s update to the December 2008 report which initially recommended bringing private capital to the organisation, published today, said Royal Mail’s £8 billion pension […]
Cable plots to privatise Royal Mail
By politics.co.uk staff Vince Cable will lead a new effort to part-privatise Royal Mail, it has been confirmed. The coalition government policy document released today is vague in detail but it reveals that the government “will seek to ensure an injection of private capital into Royal Mail, including opportunities for employee ownership”. Mr Cable, business […]
Royal Mail strikes called off
By Alex Stevenson Union leaders have agreed to call off strikes scheduled for tomorrow and Monday, it has been reported. The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) has agreed to cancel the strikes in a bid to provide a ‘breathing space’ for further negotiations with Royal Mail to take place. Talks brokered by the Trades Union Congress […]
Royal Mail privatisation threat grows as strikes continue
By politics.co.uk staff The Conservatives could privatise the Royal Mail outright if they win the general election and strikes continue, it has been reported. The Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) is holding the second of three days of strikes today after talks with Royal Mail managers failed to produce agreement earlier this week. Growing public dissatisfaction […]
Fresh Royal Mail strikes after ultimatum rejected
By Alex Stevenson The latest wave of Royal Mail strikes has begun, despite union leaders claiming they are close to a deal. Agreement was not reached after a week of talks brokered by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), meaning three days of industrial action organised by the Communication Workers’ Union begins from today. Over 40,000 […]
No deal yet as TUC talks continue
By Alex Stevenson Crucial talks on strikes at Royal Mail hosted by the Trades Union Congress (TUC) did not reach agreement but will continue tomorrow. Brendan Barber, the general secretary of the TUC, delivered a brief statement to journalists waiting outside Congress House after seven hours of negotiations. “We’ve had useful talks but we’re now […]
Postal strike: Day two
By Alex Stevenson Striking Royal Mail workers are continuing industrial action into a second day, as Gordon Brown calls for negotiations to end the union’s “self-defeating” strategy. Delivery offices and collection units are striking today after staff at mail centres and network distribution units walked out yesterday. It comes despite the government calling on both […]
Final talks before postal strike due
By Alex Stevenson Last-ditch attempts to reach agreement between postal workers’ representatives and the Royal Mail are taking place today as tomorrow’s industrial action looms. No deal was reached despite 12 hours of negotiations yesterday. A final attempt to reach agreement to prevent the industrial action will take place later. The Communication Workers’ Union remained […]
Mandelson defies union over Royal Mail
By Alex Stevenson Business secretary Peter Mandelson gave his wholehearted support to Royal Mail today after unions threatened further strikes as early as next week. Lord Mandelson said industrial action would be a “suicidal act” after the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) threatened to begin striking on October 22nd if its final ultimatum is rejected. “A […]
Mandelson blames unions for Royal Mail woes
By Liz Stephens Lord Mandelson blamed the Communication Workers Union (CWU) today for the ongoing stalemate with Royal Mail. Speaking during a business and enterprise committee meeting, the business secretary said: “Royal Mail’s response throughout has been to continue to consult. I believe that has to be matched by the workforce and their union if […]
