Leaders of the Communication Workers Union had warned of industrial action in the new year after Consignia raised the prospect of up to 30,000 job losses under cost-cutting plans. But following talks between the two sides an agreement has been reached which the union said would avert compulsory redundancies.
The deputy general of the CWU, John Keggie, said managers had told him the figure of 30,000 had been "speculative arithmetic".
He added: "We are delighted that we have reached agreement so our members know that no one can put them out of a job. Any job losses will be dealt with through collective bargaining and on a voluntary basis.
"It is a good agreement. Consignia has taken compulsory redundancies off the table and restored job security undertakings," Mr Keggie added.
The union had initially set a deadline for Consignia to withdraw the threat to axe 30,000 jobs or face industrial action. The union's executive today accepted an agreement worked out during talks which ended late last night.
Mr Keggie said the union recognised that jobs will be affected by Consignia's cost cutting plans, but there was now an opportunity to reach a new agreement.
The CWU added that Consignia had made a "significant shift" in its plans to outsource the running of its vehicle fleet. A "major difficulty" remained over pay, but further talks are to be held to try to head off a dispute.
