Post workers in new row on pensions

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The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said the Royal Mail had printed copies of a document outlining proposed changes to the pensions of almost 170,000 postmen and women.

The plans, aimed at tackling a £6 billion shortfall in the organisation's pension fund, included closing the final salary pension scheme to new staff from next year and raising the age at which workers can retire with a full pension from 60 to 65 by 2010, said the union. Officials claimed that 170,000 copies of the document have been printed and are intended to be sent to every postal worker.

The union said the disclosure would strengthen the resolve of workers to take part in a two-week campaign of industrial action which starts on Wednesday.

Sorting office workers across the country will strike for 24 hours from 7pm on Wednesday and this will be followed by walkouts by other groups of workers, including delivery staff.

The union said the aim was to disrupt mail deliveries for two weeks.

The action is part of a long-running dispute over pay and jobs following the rejection of a 2.5% wage offer and union warnings that the Royal Mail's modernisation plans would lead to the loss of 40,000 jobs.

A CWU official accused the Royal Mail of trying to pre-empt consultation on pensions. "It is a sham and it will demonstrate to our members that the Royal Mail is not listening to us, which is at the core of the current dispute.

"This will strengthen the resolve of our members. The status of the Government is unclear but the plans are so detailed they would appear to have made up their mind already."

A Royal Mail spokesman said no decision had been made on the future of the pension scheme. He said: "Royal Mail said very clearly earlier this year that it would be consulting on the future of the pension scheme for both new recruits and existing members but no decisions have yet been taken as we have not even begun the formal consultation."