POSTAL strikes planned for today (Friday, November 6) and Monday (November 9) have been called off after an agreement was reached. The Communication Workers Union (CWU) announced it had reached an interim agreement with Royal Mail that was unanimously ag

POSTAL strikes planned for today (Friday, November 6) and Monday (November 9) have been called off after an agreement was reached.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) announced it had reached an interim agreement with Royal Mail that was unanimously agreed by the union's Postal Executive.

The interim agreement will provide a period of calm for the CWU and Royal Mail to reach a full and final agreement. The interim agreement guarantees that modernisation will be introduced with agreed job security and improved terms and conditions for postal workers. It also addresses all the issues included in the long running local disputes.

The strike ballot remains in place.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "There needs to be exceptional efforts to improve trust and relationships between CWU and Royal Mail. As a result both TUC and ACAS will have a continuing role to keep the discussions and agreement on track."

Details of the agreement are due to be released to the media at noon today (Friday, November 6).

Mark Higson, managing director of Royal Mail Letters, said: "I'm delighted for our customers and our people that we've got back to a sensible agreement with the CWU that will allow us to deliver a great Christmas while getting on with vital talks about the long term future of Royal Mail - and allows us to drive forward with the essential modernisation of Royal Mail in the new year.

"We look forward to positive and constructive discussions on the next stage of Royal Mail's modernisation plan, which is key to the future of the company, all those who rely on it, and to the future of the universal service.