POSTAL workers in London joined the picket lines today (Wednesday) as part of a three-day industrial action over claims of job cuts and cutbacks at Royal Mail.
Protesters gathered from 6am at depots and sorting centres in East London including the Bethnal Green delivery centre off Hackney Road (pictured),
which deals with post for the E2, E8 and E9 districts.They say they are faced with a heavier workload despite no pay increase.
CUTTING JOBS
"It is criminal," said picket man Chris Shuffel, 45, who has worked at the Emma Street centre for 20 years.
"They just want to keep on giving us more and more work to do that we can't handle and keep on cutting jobs when there is no need to cut.
"Everyone agrees that Royal Mail needs to change. But this dispute is about how it makes these changes."
'SULKING'
The CWU postworkers' union accused Royal Mail of "sulking" because privatisation plans have been halted and making cuts rather than modernising the service.
Royal Mail blamed the union for "halting existing efforts to modernise" and insisted the strike would only "drive customers away."
More strikes are planned in the distribution network tomorrow (Thursday) when Royal Mail lorry drivers stop work.
Staff at the East London Mail Centre in Bromley-By-Bow stage a walk-out and Friday.