WILDCAT postal strikes will carry on in Merseyside today, after a mass meeting of workers yesterday.
Communication Workers Union officials met hundreds of members at the Liner Hotel, in Liverpool, to try to end the walk-outs over changes in shift patterns, after a national agreement was brokered on Friday.
But because the details of the document had not yet been released to them, many members felt it was a “leap of faith”, to agree to return to work.
Workers began the wildcat action last Wednesday after two official 48-hour strikes over working conditions, pay and pensions.
Mail depots throughout Merseyside and other parts of the country have seen walk-outs and others are operating on a work-to-rule basis.
Antony Stone, from Walton, who works at the city’s Copperas Hill depot, said after the meeting: “Everyone was going to return to work until the question about shift patterns came up. When we were told we would still have to start at 6am and then work Saturday afternoons, without any negotiation, that was the turning point. The new shift patterns, which have been imposed, will really affect our lives.”
Postman David Gibson, from Crosby, added: “Everyone wants to go back to work but with the conditions Royal Mail are putting us under there is no way we can.
“We are sorry for the postal delays, but issues have not been resolved.”
Merseyside CWU branch chairman Phil Callaghen said: “We are meeting with the national executive this afternoon over the proposals and we believe there may be something in them that will resolve some issues.
“The vote was not unanimous, some wanted to return to work.”
It was believed last night the meeting could carry on into today.
Nationally, union leaders were yesterday deciding whether to recommend an end to the official dispute, as a study showed the huge cost of the disruption on business.
A survey of almost 200 firms by the British Chambers of Commerce showed that more than half were more likely to use private delivery companies as a result of the dispute.
The executive of the CWU was discussing a proposed agreement drawn up at marathon talks with Royal Mail chief executive Adam Crozier.
The deal is believed to include a 6.9% pay rise over two years, plus a lump sum of £175 and local trials of flexible working arrangements.
lizawilliams
