In a joint statement released on Friday evening, the two sides said they recognise that it is crucial to the future of the company and the long-term job security of its employees that agreement is reached to resolve the current pay and change disputes.
“There will now be an intensive period of negotiations on all aspects of pay and change, including proposals on the overarching approach to revisions/realignments, voluntary redundancy pay, MTSF [Managing the Surplus Framework] and the wider approach to redundancy,” the statement said.
“This will be facilitated by ACAS from Monday 7 November to Tuesday 15 November led by the RMG CEO, the CWU general secretary and their respective teams.”
It continued: “To enable the right environment for constructive negotiations, RMG confirm the following will apply until at least 15 November: the pay and change offer tabled on Monday 31 October (including Parcelforce Pay and Change Update letter of the 2 November) will now be subject to further discussion and negotiation including revision activity.
“Managerial revision planning activity will continue. However, all activity with employees in relation to MTSF and redundancies linked to revision activities will be paused.
“Where available based on workload, employees will be offered overtime opportunities using our normal practices.”
RMG has confirmed that the only communications activity it will undertake are those that were already underway covering its latest position on change issues. CWU will communicate with its members on how it intends to move the dispute forward to a resolution.
To create space for constructive talks, both parties said they have committed to a de-escalation of tension to avoid flashpoints and restoring calmness in the workplace.
Previously planned national strike action on 12 and 14 November has been withdrawn but, with talks ending on 15 November, strikes remain planned for 24, 25, and 30 November as well as 1 December.
Chris Combemale, CEO of the Data and Marketing Association (DMA UK), said these strikes, which will affect Black Friday and the days just after Cyber Monday, will have a significant impact on businesses and consumers across the UK.
“The planned postal union strikes, on two of the busiest retail days during the calendar year, will have a devastating impact on both the millions of consumers and thousands of SMEs who rely on Royal Mail’s mailing services.
“With cost of living rising and the recovery from the pandemic still in its infancy, the financial losses, lost commercial opportunities, and ongoing postal delays will only cause long-lasting damage to a community under immense strain.
“While the DMA fully respects workers’ rights to have their say and be heard, this decision is counter-intuitive as e-commerce businesses are switching to couriers that do not have strikes planned and may not return to Royal Mail – creating further financial strains.
“The DMA is calling for a sensible and prompt resolution to this long-lasting standoff, which will not have such a significant impact on people’s lives across the UK.”
