And they agree on early start

GRIMSBY’S post office workers have agreed to return to work on Monday. At a meeting this morning at St Stephens Church Hall both branches decided overwhelmingly to accept the National Executives recommendation to go back offer.

The indoor branch, telephonists and counter staff, voted 75-3 in favour of a return while the outdoor branch, postmen and cleaners, voted 157-24.

Unionmembersat Scunthorpe and Louth reachedsimilardecisions.

The result at Grimsby came after a90-minute meeting attended by the majorityoflocalUPW members.

Details of the voting will be phoned to headquarters later today and the result of the national ballot should be known tomorrow. The union members also accepted a suggestion on the timing of their return from the local post office management which varies by up to an hour from the times recommended by the National Executive.

SERIOUS POSITION

Today'smeetingwas addressed by the union’s districtorganiser,Mr. Arthur Midgley, who explained why the executive had made the recommendation. The strike, which had gone on for almost seven weeks, had put the union in an "extremely serious" financialpositionwhich was suchthathardship payments to 40,000 members could not he continued. Mr. Midgley said that in addition it was felt that if the strike dragged on, the union's negotiating position would he weakened by the gradual drift back to work.

Strike committee chairman, Mr. Tom Crampton, replying to questions, said there was no question of a work-to-rule if there was a return to work on Monday.

One postman said:"It could he that the court of inquiry will give us an extra two hours off, but no money. That's no good for my butcher - he wants money for the meat not two hours"

Mr Midgleysaidit would not be in the terms of reference of the commit tee to make recommendations on hours. "That will be looked at a later stage when this lot is out of the way" he said.

Most of the postmen would he returning to work at 8 a.m. on Monday, an hour beforetherecommendation of their leaders. Telephonists wouldbe starting at 8.30 a.m and counter staff at 8.50 a.m.

Grimsby'sHeadPostmaster, Mr. J. H. Richardson, told the Evening Telegraph this afternoon: "I am very pleased at the decision and we shall be glad to see them back on Monday."

Mr Richardson said the postmen's decision to return at 8 am should ensure a delivery of mail some time during Monday and would enable collections to be made throughout the area.

Union members at Louth voted in favour ofthe recommendationattheir meetingyesterdayafternoon. A spokesman for the strike committee said the return to work recommendation had about a two thirds majority.

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