Royal Mail workers have called off some planned strikes, due to take place in the next few weeks, following a challenge from the mail service.

Action by members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) has been taking place in recent months, in a dispute over pay and conditions.

More action, planned for November, has been withdrawn after a letter from Royal Mail's legal team. 

In response, the CWU has cancelled its plans for walkouts on November 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10 and ten days of planned ACAS talks will resume, between Royal Mail and CWU, tomorrow (Monday, October 31).

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When is the next Royal Mail strike?

The strikes will resume on Saturday, November 12, the union has said.

CWU 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 doesn’t benefit the company, the community or the country.

“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.”

CWU acting deputy general secretary Andy Furey said: “We entirely understand the anger felt by many over the decision but we believe it is a necessary move to protect our dispute.

“Our members have been facing down serious harassment from the highest levels of Royal Mail as they defend their industry and those communities they serve.

“They will not be forced into submission so easily, and we will be reminding the company of their determination at Acas in the coming days.”

What has the Royal Mail said about the strikes?

Royal Mail said in a statement: “The Communication Workers Union has announced it has withdrawn planned strike action in the next two weeks (November 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10).

“The CWU has withdrawn strike action following Royal Mail writing to CWU to highlight numerous material concerns with the formal notification of planned rolling strike action.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.”