Unofficial Mail strike called off

Hundreds of postal workers walked out

Hundreds of postal workers who staged an unofficial walk out have narrowly voted to return to work.

Around 400 staff in Oxford refused to clock in during the weekend, causing disruption to deliveries across the area.

They have now been persuaded to return to work by the Communication Workers Union (CWU) at an emergency meeting on Sunday morning.

But local union representatives have claimed that feelings against Royal Mail management are still running high.

Union's warning

They have warned that if industrial relations on a national level deteriorate further, other areas could follow Oxford's example and unofficial action could become more widespread.

Staff at the Oxford Mail Centre were the fist to walk out on Friday, followed by workers at the Headington delivery office who came out in support on Saturday morning.

The action came despite the first national strike of postal workers in seven years being averted on Wednesday.

The Oxford centre's night shift was due to operate normally on Sunday night.

The strike has meant no deliveries in Headington and a limited service in the rest of the area.

It is thought the backlog of unsorted and undelivered mail will take days to clear.

The Royal Mail has yet to comment on the situation.