Postal workers strike for first time in a decade

Up to 130,000 postal workers across the country went on strike today, in what is the first industrial action at Royal Mail for more than a decade.

Members of the Communication Workers Union began a 24-hour walkout early this morning after talks earlier in the week  failed to resolve a pay dispute.

The union is reacting to a 2.5% pay offer and plans to modernise the organisation, which it claims will lead to massive job cuts.

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Royal Mail claims the union is looking for a 27% increase, which it said it can’t afford.

Dave Ward, the union’s deputy general secretary, said: “We have tried to reach an agreement, but Royal Mail is refusing to negotiate.”