'A good outcome' | Royal Mail dispute nears end as union backs new pay deal

The Royal Mail pay dispute is on the verge of ending, as the Communication Workers Union (CWU), which represents roughly 115,000 postal workers, has recommended that employees accept a new pay deal.

The dispute has been at play for over 11 months, but the outline of an agreement which states workers will receive a 10% increase in pay over 3 years was created last week. If workers decide to accept this offer it will signal an end to the dispute, which has seen frontline employees staging walkouts over work conditions and pay.

The agreement includes later starting times for deliveries, which would reportedly reduce the company’s environmental impact while increasing its ability to respond to delivery demands. Different seasonal working patterns have also been agreed, which Royal Mail said would allow it to develop its Monday to Sunday parcels business. Notably, a profit share scheme will see the first 20% of future profit go to frontline workers in a lump sum.

The CWU has recommended its members agree to the offer in an upcoming vote.