Oxford postal strike: Walk-out may be on another day

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http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/397084 ... other_day/

Confusion surrounds a plan by postal workers to strike in the run up to Christmas.

As revealed in yesterday’s Oxford Mail, up to 360 workers planned to stage a 24 hour strike from early on Monday — the busiest day of the post service year.

Workers had voted three-to-one to walk out in protest at the proposed June closure of the mail centre in Garsington Road, Cowley.

But last night, Royal Mail claimed the Communication Workers Union (CWU) — which was behind the strike — had withdrawn plans for Monday’s walkout.

A spokesman said: “The action that we have received notification of, has been withdrawn.”

However, the Oxford Mail received word from four separate sources that Oxford postal workers would still go on strike – but on Friday, December 19, rather than Monday.

It is believed the action will coincide with strikes at six other UK mail centres, all being held on the same day.

Rumours of the delay to the strike began spreading among postal workers yesterday morning. But at 10.45am Bob Cullen, CWU area processing representative, said: “As far as we are concerned it is running on Monday.”

However, Mr Cullen later failed to return calls or messages.

Noel Fay, another CWU representative, also refused to talk to the Oxford Mail, and a national spokesman for CWU was unavailable for comment.

A Royal Mail spokesman confirmed the union would have to give seven days notice of any plan to strike, meaning if the 360 workers planned to strike on Friday they would have to inform management today.

The spokesman added: “As far as I am aware we have not received formal notification of any other action.”

Any strike action would see union members — who make up 360 of the 430 workers at the centre — walk out for 24 hours.

No other Royal Mail offices would be involved.

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: “I support postal workers in trying to protect local jobs and services and they have a legal right to take strike action.

“But no-one wants to see a strike, especially at this time of year, which clearly threatens chaos with the Christmas post.”