Royal Mail to be hit by strikes again next week

A fresh wave of postal strikes starts next week, with more than 15,000 workers walking out in the dispute over jobs, pay and services.

The Communication Workers Union said its members will be striking for 24 hours in areas including London, Cambridge, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Nottingham, Glasgow and Coventry. The CWU is balloting all its postal members for a national strike, accusing the Royal Mail of cutting jobs and pay and hitting services. The result is due next month. Monday will mark the 14th week of postal industrial action this year.

On Tuesday, up to 12,000 workers in London will walk out, joined by staff in Bognor Regis, Cambridge, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Skegness, Kent, Ayr and Kilmarnock in Scotland, as well as van drivers in Birmingham, Bridgend, Bristol, Nottingham, Chelmsford, Glasgow, Leeds and Swindon. Talks between the two sides will be held next week.