A deal has been reached to end the series of unofficial strikes by postal workers which have hit deliveries all over the country.Work will now begin clearing the huge backlog of mail that has built up.The breakthrough followed all-night talks between the Royal Mail and leaders of the Communication Workers Union (CWU).
Hopes of an agreement had faded because of a number of sticking points and union anger over a warning that strikers could face legal action.
But there was a dramatic breakthrough and both sides emerged from talks in central London just before 3.30am to announce the deal.
A joint statement said: "The Royal Mail and the CWU are both pleased to have reached an understanding that allows both parties to recommend a return to work.
"We will be talking to our people today and will now go to Acas to resolve all outstanding issues relating to pay and major change.
"We wish to apologise to customers for the huge inconvenience that has been caused and our first priority is to clear the backlog that has built up and get services back to normal."
A number of issues are still outstanding, however, and will be the subject of further negotiations at the arbitration service Acas.
Deliveries have been hit by wildcat strikes involving 20,000 postal staff across London, parts of Essex, north-west England, the Midlands, Hampshire and Home Counties.
The dispute began two weeks ago when a number of drivers in Southall, west London, returning to work after an official London Weighting strike were suspended.
The union claimed the Royal Mail was trying to intimidate and bully workers into agreeing unacceptable working practices, a claim denied by the company.
Millions of letters and parcels have been delayed by the walk-outs - some people have not had any post for a fortnight
Hopes of an agreement had faded because of a number of sticking points and union anger over a warning that strikers could face legal action.
But there was a dramatic breakthrough and both sides emerged from talks in central London just before 3.30am to announce the deal.
A joint statement said: "The Royal Mail and the CWU are both pleased to have reached an understanding that allows both parties to recommend a return to work.
"We will be talking to our people today and will now go to Acas to resolve all outstanding issues relating to pay and major change.
"We wish to apologise to customers for the huge inconvenience that has been caused and our first priority is to clear the backlog that has built up and get services back to normal."
A number of issues are still outstanding, however, and will be the subject of further negotiations at the arbitration service Acas.
Deliveries have been hit by wildcat strikes involving 20,000 postal staff across London, parts of Essex, north-west England, the Midlands, Hampshire and Home Counties.
The dispute began two weeks ago when a number of drivers in Southall, west London, returning to work after an official London Weighting strike were suspended.
The union claimed the Royal Mail was trying to intimidate and bully workers into agreeing unacceptable working practices, a claim denied by the company.
Millions of letters and parcels have been delayed by the walk-outs - some people have not had any post for a fortnight
