New ballot for strikes threatens UK christmas post
Threats to Christmas mail deliveries across the country as the postal workers’ dispute worsened.
The Communication Workers Union is to consider ordering a new ballot over job losses and changes to working practices. That would cause massive disruption in the runup to the festive season.
Mail services across the country were hit today as thousands of London postal workers staged their second 24-hour strike over pay. Although only London postal workers are on strike, twothirds of all mail is routed through the capital.
The strike was timed to coincide with a one-day stoppage by London local government workers which hit services from street-sweeping to social work.
Strike ballots over pay are also threatened on the Tube, Gatwick Express and among Heathrow ground staff.
The Royal Mail said the post backlog would take several days to clear and urged customers not to send letters today. Both the CWU and Unison, representing local government workers, want London weighting set at £4,000.
The Royal Mail and town hall employers claim workers have already been offered good deals.
