Mail staff strike for second day

The strikes are due to continue until Friday

Royal Mail workers in London have gone on strike for a second day in a row over jobs and pay.

Distribution and logistics staff are taking part in the three-day strike amid claims of pay cuts and service cutbacks without modernisation.

The Communication Workers Union (CWU) said Royal Mail was the "biggest block to modernisation".

But bosses said the union was "halting existing efforts to modernise Royal Mail in London".

Delivery staff walked out on Wednesday and mail centre staff will strike on Friday, the final day of the action.

Criticising the strike, Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "I just wish this 'head in the sand' attitude by the Communication Workers Union would end.

"They have a responsibility to themselves quite apart from the public and businesses who rely on the network's delivery service. They have a responsibility to themselves to keep themselves in work."

Redesign deliveries

The CWU has accused Royal Mail of reducing the pay of employees and implementing other cuts which it said was affecting services.

It also wants management to resolve the issue of pension deficit, bring in new machines and redesign deliveries.

Dave Ward, Deputy General Secretary of the CWU, said: "Management seem to be sulking because the prospect of privatisation and increased executive pay has disappeared."

But a Royal Mail spokesman said "the union refuses point blank" to discuss how to fully implement modernisation in London.

The union said it planned to hold a national day of action on 17 July, combining industrial action and demonstrations.

Last month up to 8,000 CWU members in London halted work for two days as part of the same dispute.