postal strike called off

Postal workers would vote on the deal's conditions by postThe Commununication Workers' Union (CWU) has called off strike action which had been set for later this week.
The suspension comes as the union's executive continues talks on whether to accept a Royal Mail deal.

The CWU must decide whether or not to recommend the offer, which is aimed at resolving a long-running row over pay, jobs and pensions.
The deal is thought to give CWU members a 6.9% pay rise over 18 months.
A series of 48-hour stoppages and unofficial walkouts is estimated to have cost Royal Mail more than £200m.

The union had plans for strikes to be carried out in various parts of the country on different days this week.
But CWU's failure to serve the notice correctly meant strikes planned for Monday and Tuesday had to be called off following a Royal Mail injunction, explained a union representative. Other strikes could still take place.
The CWU told the BBC an agreement on whether to continue with planned strikes was likely to be resolved on Tuesday afternoon.
Marathon talks
Leaders of the CWU are presenting the terms of the deal to the union's executive at their headquarters in Wimbledon.
DEAL POINTS
6.9% pay rise from 1 October 07 to 1 April 09
Consultation on ending final salary pension scheme
Flexible working to be trialled and agreed locally
The agreement was hammered out last week during marathon talks with Royal Mail's chief executive Adam Crozier.
Despite Friday's agreement, wildcat strikes have continued to disrupt services in some areas.
Unofficial action has been taking place in Yorkshire and Liverpool, with union representatives in Yorkshire reportedly opposed to working later hours.
In a survey of more than 250 company heads, half of the respondents said the strike had cost their companies at least £1,000.
According to the London Chamber of Commerce, the nationwide mail strikes have cost the city more than £300m.
Flexible working
A ballot of 130,000 workers will be called if the CWU accepts the Royal Mail settlement.
A simple majority would be needed to approve the deal. The results would be declared one month later.
While no details have been released, the BBC understands that the 6.9% pay rise over 18 months will consist of a 5.4% pay rise between 1 October 2007 and 1 April 2008, followed by a 1.5% pay rise from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2009. Workers will also receive a lump sum payment of £175.
In addition, the CWU has agreed to support consultation on ending the current final salary pension scheme.
The CWU has previously said that the Royal Mail's modernisation plans would cost 40,000 jobs.