Postal workers set to stage another 24-hour national strike

Postal workers are set to stage another 24-hour national strike tomorrow after talks aimed at averting such action ended without agreement last night. Leaders of the Communication Workers' Union, representing about 134,000 postmen and women, met Royal Mail managers in London but failed again to reach a deal over the long-running dispute about hours and working practices.

The second strike in less than a week is likely to begin from midday tomorrow, with the threat of further walkouts looming. The union's executive will meet today to review the dispute and could set further dates for strikes.