Home / International / World Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read | Comment
British postal workers stage national strike
Adjust font size:

British Royal Mail workers around the country started the first of two 48-hour strikes on Thursday in a protest over jobs, pay and pensions.

After last-minute talks between Royal Mail managers and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) failed to reach a deal, the strike began at noon on the day.

A second two-day strike by the CWU's 130,000 members is scheduled to begin next Monday.

Royal Mail warned customers that the two walkouts mean there will be no deliveries until next Thursday, and a severe disruption to all postal services for a significant period afterwards.

During the strike action over the summer, Royal Mail's management told the unions that they could not improve their pay offer because there was no more money on the table.

At the center of the dispute is the CWU's objection to the Royal Mail's 2.5 percent offer and modernization plans, which it says will put about 40,000 jobs at risk.

Royal Mail said modernization was the only option because of increased competition.

It is concerned that the strikes will lead to a further loss of business and adds to its financial losses. It is estimated that the two strikes will cost industry millions of pounds.
 
(Xinhua News Agency October 5, 2007)

Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read
Comment
Pet Name
Anonymous
China Archives
Related >>
Most Viewed >>
> Korean Nuclear Talks
> Reconstruction of Iraq
> Middle East Peace Process
> Iran Nuclear Issue
> 6th SCO Summit Meeting
Links
- China Development Gateway
- Foreign Ministry
- Network of East Asian Think-Tanks
- China-EU Association
- China-Africa Business Council
- China Foreign Affairs University
- University of International Relations
- Institute of World Economics & Politics
- Institute of Russian, East European & Central Asian Studies
- Institute of West Asian & African Studies
- Institute of Latin American Studies
- Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies
- Institute of Japanese Studies