The Government has climbed down on Royal Mail privatisation, saying that the measure is "postponed".
Leaders of the post and telecom union CWU have responded less than militantly:
Billy Hayes, CWU General Secretary said: “We welcome the postponement of the Bill because it creates an opportunity to modernise Royal Mail as a public service. The government must now consider alternative legislation by the autumn, to allow for a new form of regulation of the industry, and the removal of the pensions deficit”.
Dave Ward, CWU Deputy General Secretary (Postal) said: “The CWU has offered management a three month moratorium on industrial and executive action in order to achieve a modernisation agreement. With the government’s new position, management must take this opportunity to respond positively to the workforce’s concerns”.
On 1 July, Billy Hayes added: "The government has not only looked at market forces but has listened to the British public.
"Privatisation was a deeply unpopular suggestion from day one.
"We now look forward to resolving issues which remain around pensions, regulation and modernisation.
"The CWU is as committed as anyone to improving industrial relations in Royal Mail. Now that this uncertainty has been lifted there is a great opportunity to step up a gear in modernising Royal Mail in the public sector.
"It's important that the government doesn't walk away from Royal Mail. Changes are needed on modernisation, pensions, regulation and industrial relations which do not need primary legislation but which do need government support.
"Lord Mandelson referred to the 2007 Pay and Modernisation Agreement. That is the very agreement that Royal Mail is ignoring and the union wants to return to in order to negotiate modernisation and improve industrial relations."
The postponement offers the labour movement a good chance to push the privatisation firmly off the agenda. For an interview with a CWU activist giving background - including on the 2007 deal, which many in CWU see as a blight rather than a blessing - click here.