City postal workers begin strike

About 32,000 homes and businesses are affected

Postal workers in Staffordshire have gone on strike over the suspension of nine colleagues.

The industrial action at the Burslem depot in Stoke-on-Trent affects 32,000 homes and businesses in the ST6 post code and is due to finish on 2 January.

Royal Mail bosses and the Communication Workers Union (CWU) met on Monday in a last-ditch bid to avoid the walk out.

Royal Mail said 200 managers had been drafted in and it was "determined" to deliver the post in time for Christmas.

The dispute dates back to September when 12 members of staff were suspended over allegations of bullying and harassment. Three were later reinstated.

'Losing money'

The union said calls for an independent review of the disciplinary action were not met by Royal Mail.

Managers said they were disappointed that strike action had gone ahead.

Mick Kavanagh, from the CWU, said: "Our members have taken industrial action because of the injustice that's going on here.

"We don't take it lightly that our members are going out on strike before Christmas. They are losing money as well."

The Royal Mail's area general manager for the North West Midlands, Tom Willis, said the company was determined to deliver all the Christmas post to people in the affected areas.

He added: "No decisions have been reached in any of the nine outstanding conduct cases which are being handled in accordance with the procedures agreed with the CWU and this includes the right of appeal, if necessary."