Postal workers from North Devon will join national strike

POSTAL workers from North Devon will join colleagues from across the UK in a 24-hour walkout next week. The strike will affect all delivery offices in the region after action was agreed by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) following the breakdown of

POSTAL workers from North Devon will join colleagues from across the UK in a 24-hour walkout next week.

The strike will affect all delivery offices in the region after action was agreed by the Communication Workers' Union (CWU) following the breakdown of talks with Royal Mail this week.

Nationwide stoppages for mail centre staff and network drivers will take place on Thursday, October 22 and for delivery and collection staff on Friday, October 23.

"All delivery shifts commencing on or after 9pm next Thursday will be affected for 24 hours," said Phil Chadwick Communication Workers' Union western counties branch secretary.

The dispute is over workers' conditions in the light of a modernisation process being implemented by Royal Mail. The CWU claims the changes are putting unrealistic demands on its members. A last-minute "peace offer" by the CWU was rejected yesterday afternoon (Thursday).

Kevin Beazer, South West regional secretary, said: "It has now become crystal clear that Royal Mail has no intention of reaching an agreement and have acted completely irresponsibly by ignoring the Union's peace plan.

"It is absolutely astonishing that the business has decided not to talk about a sensible and reasonable offer which could have led to an agreement and no strikes."

Mr Beazer added: "Royal Mail has now embarked upon a course of all out war against the workforce and unfortunately this will lead to a long a protracted dispute - this just didn't need to happen."

Royal Mail has denied the claims that cost-saving measures are cutting jobs, reducing wages and damaging services and says it is only pressing ahead with agreed modernisation of the business.