National postal strike 'from October 22nd'

Union announces national postal strikes are likely to begin from October 22nd

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Tuesday, 13, Oct 2009 05:12

By Richard James.

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) has said national postal strikes are likely to begin from October 22nd.

Union bosses wrote to the Royal Mail confirming the seven-day notice will be provided on Thursday outlining the exact dates of strike action.

The CWU will announce whether it will call out all 120,000 Royal Mail workers at once, or stage a series of strikes involving different groups of staff.

The letter released today from the union's deputy general secretary Dave Ward urged Royal Mail to potentially avoid any strike action by agreeing to a last-minute deal.

Last week union members voted by three-to-one to support strike action in a dispute over pay, working conditions and the overall modernisation of the postal service.

Mr Ward said on Tuesday: "We have today written to Royal Mail making it clear that the CWU is ready to issue notice for a national strike as voted for by three quarters of postal workers.

"More importantly, we have offered what we believe is a genuine alternative to reach a lasting agreement. This is an opportunity to avoid a national strike, restore customer confidence and resolve the concerns of staff."