Robert Hammond, postal expert at Consumer Focus, said the new deal should end any uncertainty about future parcel delivery services.

The deal reached by Royal Mail and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) should end any uncertainty about future parcel delivery services and provide much-needed peace of mind to members of the public.

Robert Hammond, postal expert at Consumer Focus, said that it was customers who were the biggest losers in the industrial action which took place last year and the situation needs to be avoided in future.

The agreement reached between both sides should mean an end to talk of strike action and allow Royal Mail to provide swift and effective parcel delivery services.

"Hopefully this will resolve the issue once and for all and both sides will work to provide the service consumers need … we now look forward to Royal Mail working hard to deliver a first-class service to its paying customers," Mr Hammond said.

The deal will see staff receive a pay rise of 6.9 per cent over three years, with Royal Mail able to implement modernisation plans and introduce more machinery to the postal service.

Posted by Lucy Pritchard

Article Added: 11/03/2010 09:06:43