Posties launch strike action
POSTAL workers in the region were out on strike today as nationwide walkouts got under way.
The Communication Workers’ Union stepped up its attack on Business Secretary Lord Mandelson over his role in a bitter dispute over jobs, pay and modernisation.
Up to 42,000 mail centre staff and network drivers launched a 24 hour strike today, while 78,000 delivery and collection workers will walk out tomorrow.
Tomorrow’s action will affect delivery staff at offices in Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Redcar, Skelton, Guisborough, South Bank and Coulby Newham.
The union is set to announce further strikes after hopes of reaching a last minute deal collapsed, leading to bitter recriminations.
Deputy general secretary Dave Ward today repeated he believed a “form of words” had been agreed during marathon talks earlier this week, claiming the progress was “wiped out” by a last minute intervention from Royal Mail managing director Mark Higson.
The Royal Mail condemned the decision to go ahead with the “wholly unjustified” strikes and said it was willing to keep on talking, although officials warned there would now be delays to mail deliveries.
Process and distribution staff at the Cannon Park base began strike action at 4am today.
Pete Sansum, area delivery representative for the CWU on Teesside, said there was “solid support” for today’s action, with tomorrow’s delivery staff walkout set to have a greater impact on local services.
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