06 February 2006

Postal workers continue to strike

Royal Mail employees are continuing to strike after almost a week of their unofficial protest.

Postal services in North, South, and West Belfast have been directly affected by the action, and many routes in affected areas have not received mail since the strike began last Tuesday.

Around 40 postal workers in Mallusk walked out in support of their striking colleagues in Belfast on Friday, however the majority of the staff showed up for work this morning and Royal Mail management will hold discussions with them to prevent the situation from spiralling out of control.

Royal Mail watchdog Postwatch have warned that postal services across Northern Ireland will continue to be affected if the dispute was not settled.

There have been no talks planned for today between striking employees and management, but bosses have once again appealed for employees to return to work and return the service to normality.

A spokesman for the Communication Workers Union, has said that an independent review is the only way forward.

Earlier today, around 30 striking Royal Mail employees, staged a protest at Hillsborough Castle where representatives from the British and Irish governments were meeting local political parties on the restoration of devolution.

The workers have asked the parties to show support for their strike action.

Sinn Fein West Belfast MLA, Fra McCann has urged Royal Mail management to genuinely engage in resolving the dispute and voiced his concern at the tactic being used by management.

He said: "This is becoming a protracted dispute that is affecting postal deliveries across Belfast. It has the potential to create wider disruption. It is essential that management genuinely engage in resolving this dispute.

"I would be very concerned at some of the threatening tactics being adopted by management. This is clearly unhelpful."

The unofficial action began on Tuesday when over 200 workers walked out of the Tomb Street depot in Belfast.

The reason given for the walk out was difficulties between staff and management over disciplinary procedures and alleged bullying claims.

Royal Mail has said that they will not enter into negotiations with staff until they come off the picket line.

However, staff have said that they have no intention of returning to work until the dispute is resolved.

(EF/SP)