Isle of Man - Union waits over posties' pay plan

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A UNION says it is waiting to hear back from Post Office management after submitting its own proposals to solve the pay row.
The Communication Workers' Union had threatened that its members – about 300 out of a total workforce of 452 – could strike unless a deal was reached.

CWU national officer Terry Pullinger said: 'The latest position is that we have pragmatically responded with a number of ideas.

'They could, if meaningfully considered, potentially generate a solution via efficiencies which could benefit employees in respect of their reward package and the business via a more streamlined and effective operation, and improved profits.'

The Post Office, a statutory authority, was hit by the government's public sector pay freeze which came into effect this year.

When the union began its annual pay discussions with the Post Office in April, Mr Pullinger said they were told there was no room to manoeuvre.

But Mr Pullinger said that postal workers should not be treated in the same way as civil servants because it wasnot a government department and contributes to the government as Treasury took 50 per cent of the Post Office's profits.

The union was left disappointed last month after a meeting with Post Office finance officer David Catlow did not resolve the issue.

Post Office management has remained tight-lipped on the row while the negotiations have been taking place.