The most bitter UK industrial dispute of the last year is on the verge of being settled as the union representing 112,000 frontline Royal Mail workers agrees to recommend the terms of a peace deal.
The company and Communication Workers Union (CWU) have been at each others’ throats for more than 11 months but agreed the outline of an agreement last weekend pending the approval of the union’s national executive.
The CWU said on Friday that it would recommend the membership support the plan in a forthcoming vote – with both sides claiming victories in certain areas.
The dispute covers three broad areas: pay, jobs and working conditions.
Loss-making Royal Mail had previously warned that without an agreement, staff would have been risking their jobs.
The agreement includes later starting times for deliveries, seasonal working patterns and regular Sunday working.
On pay, a 10% rise over three years – some of which has already been paid – and a one-off lump sum of £500 was agreed.
