'Provoked' posties join strike protest

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UP TO 200 postal workers staged an unofficial walkout as industrial action across Stoke-on-Trent intensified.

Workers from the delivery office at the Leek Road sorting office in Stoke unexpectedly went on strike shortly before 7am yesterday.

They joined about 100 distribution and processing staff who were continuing their official indefinite walkout at the sorting office, which has been going on for more than 10 days, over plans to transfer work to Wolverhampton.

The impromptu strike affected mail delivery to the ST1, 2, 4, 9 and 12 postcode areas.

And at the Scotia Road office, in Burslem, dozens more Royal Mail workers staged a 24-hour strike in protest against changes to their working conditions.

CWU branch secretary Andy Plant said Royal Mail had "provoked" the 200 delivery workers at Stoke into striking after they received letters telling them they would not be paid if they refused to drive across picket lines.

Royal Mail described the walkout as "unlawful" and apologised to customers for the disruption.

Mr Plant said: "When delivery staff got to work they were given letters saying they would not be paid if they refused to cross picket lines, which is provocation from Royal Mail.

"The strike at the office has been going on for more than 10 days and there has been no problem with the drivers so far. Royal Mail have only taken this approach because of what is going on at Burslem.

"We apologise to the public for the disruption caused, but I hope they understand we are doing this to improve the postal service in the long-term.

"We'll be meeting with national representatives and the delivery workers will take action for as long as they need to.

"The strike involving the distribution and processing staff continues."

The unsigned letter handed to delivery workers stated: "The CWU has not called you to take part in the industrial action at the depots involved and the advice from the union is that you should complete your duties as required.

"If despite that you decide not to drive across a picket line, you will cause serious damage to Royal Mail's business; you will be in breach of contract and you will be participating in industrial action.

"Royal Mail will not pay you for working a shift in which you refuse to drive your vehicle across a picket line."

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "Postal workers at the Leek Road Delivery Office took unofficial, unlawful strike action today in support of distribution and collection colleagues who have been involved in ongoing official industrial action.

"We are doing everything possible to get our people back to work and in the meantime will put in place contingency arrangements to minimise disruption to our customers.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"Delivery staff taking part in this action are not affected by the planned changes to the operation at Leek Road and Royal Mail therefore calls on the CWU to support us in getting people back to work and restoring service."

At Burslem, workers vowed to step-up industrial action unless Royal Mail agreed to talks.

CWU representatives at Scotia Road say workers are angry that bosses are planning to cut 12 jobs, extend delivery routes and change shifts without negotiation.

CWU representative for the branch, Jason Cornwall, aged 38, said: "We are planning to step-up our strike action from September 1 if Royal Mail don't agree to talks. There will be no peace in Burslem until this is resolved.

"The people of Burslem and the ST6 postcode area have been fantastic in their support for what we are doing."