Christmas post fears over strike

Unions fear 500 jobs could go as part of the planned mergers

There are fears that some Christmas post may not arrive on time if a planned 24-hour strike goes ahead at some sorting offices in England.

Workers in Coventry, Crewe, Liverpool, Stockport, Bolton and Oxford are threatening action on Friday over the proposed merger of some depots.

The Communication Workers Union says 500 jobs could be lost and has challenged Royal Mail to negotiate.

Royal Mail says the strike would affect just 5% of its workforce.

A spokesman said: "We are clearly disappointed that the union would urge strike action at this important and busy time of year.

"We are asking all our people to get on and deliver the Christmas service our customers want and deserve."

The firm's plans include transferring work from the mail centre in Weston, Crewe, and the Copperas Hill sorting office in Liverpool to a new regional centre in Warrington.

The CWU's Mick Kavanagh says postal workers have a lot of support

Royal Mail has said Copperas Hill is no longer viable in the face of falling mail volumes.

It said it wanted staff at both sites to work at the new centre, but union leaders said many workers would not be able to afford to travel or relocate.

They warned the planned closures would have a "devastating" impact on local economies.

Up to 2,000 workers could walk out after 60% of those who voted came out in favour of industrial action.

Mick Kavanagh from the union said he hoped the strike could still be avoided.

"It really is down to Royal Mail to get around the negotiating table this week and get this sorted out," he said.

Saturday is the last first-class posting day before Christmas and the union has promised that workers will do all they can to clear the backlog in time for the holiday.

Last week, Coventry MP Jim Cunningham asked the government to step in to try to head off the potential strike by arranging talks between Royal Mail, MPs and unions.