Scottish post workers join strike

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Hundreds of postal workers are taking strike action in the first of three days of industrial action by Scottish staff.

More than 500 staff at offices in Edinburgh, Dalkeith, Bo'ness, Bathgate and Irvine are taking part in the action in protest at job changes.

The strike is part of a UK-wide action by the Communication Workers Union (CWU).

Its impact is likely to be felt across much of the east of Scotland.

Royal Mail said only about 800 out of its 12,000 Scotland-based workers would be involved in the walkout, affecting 11 delivery offices.

Distribution drivers in Edinburgh will be involved in the dispute, affecting deliveries to most parts of the capital.

Further disruption

Nearly 200 collection and distribution drivers in the city are also taking strike action on Sunday.

However, Royal Mail said only local feeds to delivery offices would be affected, causing minimum disruption.

On Monday, Edinburgh staff will join 288 workers at offices in Alloa, Dunfermline, Cowdenbeath and Grangemouth in strike action.

More than 25,000 UK workers are taking part in the walkouts, the largest since national action in 2007.

The dispute comes after the CWU and Royal Mail accused each other of reneging on a deal reached in 2007 aimed at modernising the service.

Royal Mail bosses have said the service must change and modernise to meet the challenges of the 21st Century, while the union has accused bosses of forcing through change without consultation.

The union is now planning to hold a national strike ballot next month, which could lead to further disruption in the autumn.

The service, which employs around 180,000 staff across the UK, is suffering as a result of increased competition from other operators, the impact of the growth of e-mail and a large pension deficit.