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10/02/2006
Postal strike continues as overtures made
After 11 days of the postal workers strike, Royal Mail have said that they are hoping to get a quick response to an offer which could eventually see an end to the postal workers unofficial action.
Royal Mail management has suggested that a third party should get involved to help mediate talks with the Communications Workers Union to try to reach some sort of an agreement to end the dispute.
Over 200 postal workers walked out last Tuesday, following disputes with management over disciplinary procedures and alleged bullying cases.
Homes and businesses in north, south and west Belfast have been worst hit by the action, having not received any mail since it began.
Services in the east of the city have remained unaffected.
The strike is now beginning to have a knock-on effect on homes right across the province, with almost half of Belfast City Hospital's outpatients failing to show up, as letters for appointments did not arrive.
Last night, talks were held at the Labour Relations Agency in a bid to come up with a resolution for the strike, however no progress was made and the clash between workers and management remains in a stalemate situation.
Yesterday, around 50 managers from across Britain were drafted in to Belfast to carry out postal deliveries to try to clear some of the backlog of the past ten days.
The SDLP have met with strikers and union representatives in relation to the dispute, and have said that it is in no one's interest for the stand off to continue.
Speaking after the meeting, Carmel Hanna MLA said: “This dispute has gone on too long. A big price is being paid by customers, workers and Royal Mail. It has to get sorted out now. If the Labour Relations Agency has not got the powers to arbitrate, an independent person needs to be agreed and appointed to mediate and move things on."
Alex Attwood MLA who also attended the meeting said: “Royal Mail should see the value in an independent review of employer/employee relations. This can confirm what works well and what works badly. Such an approach should be seen as an opportunity. It can make Royal Mail more efficient. This approach has been tried and tested elsewhere in Royal Mail. It should be tried here.”
The party plans to talk to Royal Mail at a senior level, both to learn their views and to urge that there is a way to get this sorted now and it should be grasped.
Cllr Tim Attwood said: “Hospital appointments are delayed. Cheques are held up in the post. Job interviews and offers of work lie waiting in sorting rooms. Ten days into the dispute this is a high price to pay. People in Belfast are starting to say to workers and Royal Mail, this must be sorted now.”
Social Security Agency have issued advice to customers affected by the action saying the people who normally received benefit payments through the mail should collect it from their nearest post office as from today.
A special helpline has been set up by Royal Mail and customers requiring more information or advice could phone 08457 740740.
(EF/SP)
Royal Mail management has suggested that a third party should get involved to help mediate talks with the Communications Workers Union to try to reach some sort of an agreement to end the dispute.
Over 200 postal workers walked out last Tuesday, following disputes with management over disciplinary procedures and alleged bullying cases.
Homes and businesses in north, south and west Belfast have been worst hit by the action, having not received any mail since it began.
Services in the east of the city have remained unaffected.
The strike is now beginning to have a knock-on effect on homes right across the province, with almost half of Belfast City Hospital's outpatients failing to show up, as letters for appointments did not arrive.
Last night, talks were held at the Labour Relations Agency in a bid to come up with a resolution for the strike, however no progress was made and the clash between workers and management remains in a stalemate situation.
Yesterday, around 50 managers from across Britain were drafted in to Belfast to carry out postal deliveries to try to clear some of the backlog of the past ten days.
The SDLP have met with strikers and union representatives in relation to the dispute, and have said that it is in no one's interest for the stand off to continue.
Speaking after the meeting, Carmel Hanna MLA said: “This dispute has gone on too long. A big price is being paid by customers, workers and Royal Mail. It has to get sorted out now. If the Labour Relations Agency has not got the powers to arbitrate, an independent person needs to be agreed and appointed to mediate and move things on."
Alex Attwood MLA who also attended the meeting said: “Royal Mail should see the value in an independent review of employer/employee relations. This can confirm what works well and what works badly. Such an approach should be seen as an opportunity. It can make Royal Mail more efficient. This approach has been tried and tested elsewhere in Royal Mail. It should be tried here.”
The party plans to talk to Royal Mail at a senior level, both to learn their views and to urge that there is a way to get this sorted now and it should be grasped.
Cllr Tim Attwood said: “Hospital appointments are delayed. Cheques are held up in the post. Job interviews and offers of work lie waiting in sorting rooms. Ten days into the dispute this is a high price to pay. People in Belfast are starting to say to workers and Royal Mail, this must be sorted now.”
Social Security Agency have issued advice to customers affected by the action saying the people who normally received benefit payments through the mail should collect it from their nearest post office as from today.
A special helpline has been set up by Royal Mail and customers requiring more information or advice could phone 08457 740740.
(EF/SP)
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