Royal Mail staff walk out in first of two 48-hour strikes after failing to do a deal with Communications Workers Union

The first of two consecutive 48-hour stoppages by Royal Mail postal workers began today at midday, despite last minute talks between the national postal service and the Communication Workers Union (CWU).

Up to 130,000 employees are due to take part in a series of 48-hour strikes, the first of which began at noon, while the second kicks off on Monday 8 October. An unspecified programme of weekly strikes, starting on 15 October, is set to follow until the dispute is resolved.

A CWU statement said: “To date there is no agreed resolution. The industrial action will therefore go ahead as notified.”

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CWU members voted in favour of industrial action in June in protest at Royal Mail’s “below inflation pay offer” and plans to cut the workforce by 40,000 and close post offices.

The Royal Mail has condemned the decision by the CWU to stage further strikes, criticising the CWU leadership for failing to understand the challenges the organisation faces.