Postal strikes called off

The postal workers\' union in the United Kingdom has cancelled all further strike action until after Christmas to allow for further talks with Royal Mail.



The Communication Workers Union (CWU) general secretary Brendan Barber said the decision has been made to provide a period of calm in which the two sides can reach a long-term deal.



However Mr Barber said securing a final agreement seems a far way off.



The industrial dispute is over the level of job losses the Royal Mail said are necessary as part of its modernization plans.



While the CWU accepts that some redundancies are required, the two sides disagree over their extent.



They also disagree over changes to pay and working conditions for Royal Mail staff who remain in their jobs.



CWU deputy general secretary Dave Ward said the decision to end the strike action had been unanimously agreed by its executive board.