Great Britain: the battle continues between Royal Mail and CWU

In the continuing battle over the privatisation of the Royal Mail, the CWU communications workers' union has rejected an 8.6% pay rise over three years from the employer. The CWU accused Royal Mail of attempting to use the pay offer as a sweetener to facilitate the workforce accepting other changes on their pensions and job security which the union believes as deleterious and part and parcel of preparing the organisation for privatisation. By this, the CWU means reducing the costs of these components so that any investor finds buying the Royal Mail a more inviting prospect. (Ref. 130449)
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The proposed pay deal comprises a 2.6% rise in 2013-2014, 3% in 2014-2015 and 2.8% in 2015-2016 along with a £300 (€353) non-consolidated lump sum in late 2013 and at least £100 per year from an incentive scheme where targets are met. The pay increases in the second and third years will be subject to review if inflation is below 2.3% or above 3.3%. (Inflation was 2.7% in May and is expected to rise to 3% shortly.) The proposed deal also includes a confirmation that employment contracts and othe

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