March 30, 2010
A Long-running British Strike
Following a strike lasting many days, the Royal Mail and Communication Workers Union have been holding peace talks. Targets for the delivery of first and second class letters were missed in the bitter row over jobs, pay and services. Then a deal aimed at ending the long-running postal workers’ dispute was agreed on Mar 8, including a 6.9% pay rise over three years. An 80-page agreement produced by the marathon talks includes a 2% pay rise in April followed by increases of 1.4% and 3.5% in subsequent years. The working week will be cut and postal workers will have greater job security, while agreeing to deliver a “transformation” of the business. The CWU said members would also receive lump sums of about £2,500 as well as weekly basic pay supplements and other improvements such as extra maternity and paternity pay.
LA's Colorful Sky 