Joint statement

Royal Mail Group and CWU will begin formal talks immediately, as a joint statement is issued demonstrating a commitment to working together.

Royal Mail CEO Stuart Simpson and interim executive chairman Keith Williams have signed the statement – which you can read, in full, here – alongside CWU’s general secretary Dave Ward and deputy general secretary (postal), Terry Pullinger.

You can watch Stuart announce the commitment by playing this video.

‘We have to change,’ says Stuart. ‘The market is changing very rapidly and we, and the union, recognise we need to change.’

Among the topics to be discussed include the financial position of the business, local revision and change activity, pay, operational change and the future strategy - including Parcelforce - and the potential to better use the company’s unrivalled infrastructure.

‘It is so important we work with our unions,’ says Stuart. ‘They are a major stakeholder in the business. We need to recognise this and work with them. When we do work with them, we can make major change that is in the best interests of the business, the employees and the union.’

Visit our RMtv page later today for a full interview with Stuart in our RMtv Special.