No deliveries during post strike

Royal Mail blames the recession and stronger competition for the changes

Postal collection drivers from the Bristol mail centre are staging a 24-hour strike.

The walk-out by 1,000 workers is as a result of an ongoing dispute over pay, conditions and cuts to the service.

The action will disrupt collections across Bristol and the South West with no deliveries on Wednesday and fewer than normal on Thursday.

Royal Mail bosses say changes have to be made because of a declining volume of traditional mail being handled.

The strike started at 1330 BST on Tuesday and is the latest industrial action to hit postal services in the area in the past few weeks.

The company said it is disappointed the strikes by Communication Workers Union members are continuing.

Dave Ward, CWU deputy general secretary, said: "Royal Mail needs to accept that there has been a big breakdown in trust between staff and management.

"The way to resolve this and get the modernisation programme back on track is to have serious negotiations with the CWU to reach a fair and workable agreement.

"We welcome the planned meetings with Royal Mail next week, however until there is a material difference for our members we will not be in a position to call off strike action."

In a statement Royal Mail said: "We are making changes in a calm, measured and structured way, inviting continuous involvement and dialogue with our unions and our people and seeking to minimise service disruption to our customers whilst we change.

"Royal Mail continues to talk with the CWU and our people underlining the impact of disruption on customers and on Royal Mail's business and reputation."

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