Royal Mail last night tabled a new offer to get postal workers in Belfast to end their two-week strike.
They have pledged to use independent conciliators to improve future relationships between management and the union at all levels. But staff involved in the wildcat action must agree to return to work immediately.
The offer followed talks in London between Royal Mail bosses and national representatives of the Communications Workers Union aimed at halting a strike that has thrown postal delivery service into chaos.
After revealing details of the new attempt to break the deadlock, Gary Crawford, director of personnel for Royal Mail Northern Ireland, said: "The union has asked for the involvement of a third party. This is also the approach Royal Mail wants to see.
"We can now see no reason other than a hidden agenda for the union to remain on strike. We therefore expect the CWU to get people back to work and to resume services to our customers."
The union is expected to give its response to the new offer today.
The strike, which began on January 31st over staff allegations of management harassment, has halted deliveries of post in north, south and west Belfast; stopped all mail being sent to Britain; and forced Royal Mail to stop accepting special delivery items.
PA