The Communication Workers Union (CWU) held an emergency meeting with members this afternoon (Picture: EPA)
Royal Mail workers have called off strikes after an emergency meeting this afternoon.
More than 115,000 members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) have been involved in a long-running dispute over pay and conditions.
A series of walkouts have taken place in recent weeks and more were due in the next two weeks.
But the union said it had decided to withdraw industrial action notices after a legal letter from Royal Mail.
It added that strikes are set to resume on Saturday, November 12.
General secretary Dave Ward said: ‘We recognise the deep frustration felt by many members over this decision.
‘But the fact remains that the current direction of Royal Mail does not benefit the company, the community or the country.
General secretary Dave Ward gives a speech outside Royal Mail Camden Delivery Office (Picture: Shutterstock)
‘We still need to secure a decent future of this industry, and no attempts to attack our union and our members will change our determination in fighting for that.
‘The current focus of the coming days will be negotiations that can hopefully achieve a sensible deal to end this dispute.
‘In the meantime, I appeal to our members to stand by their union – stay strong and don’t be provoked.’
Deputy general secretary Andy Furey stressed this is a ‘necessary move’ to protect the dispute.
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Royal Mail confirmed that walkouts on November 2, 3 4, 8, 9 and 10 have been called off.
A statement from the company said: ‘The CWU has withdrawn strike action following Royal Mail writing to CWU to highlight numerous material concerns with the formal notification of planned rolling strike action.
‘Royal Mail and CWU have planned talks at Acas tomorrow, Monday, October 31.
‘We will continue to do all we can to keep business, companies and the country connected.’
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‘We recognise the deep frustration felt by many members over this decision.’