POSTAL workers say they could strike again after constant attempts to set up talks with management failed.

Postal workers at Royal Mail House in Oxford, who staged a three-day strike last week, are seeking union approval to stop work again.

They will hear on Tuesday whether they are allowed to go ahead with industrial action from 8pm on April 16 to 4pm on April 18. The strike will affect the OX1 and OX2 postcode areas of Oxford.

CWU branch secretary Pete Boswell said: "At Royal Mail House, they're not a bunch of militant activists, they're just ordinary men and women trying to earn a living and trying to do a job.

"Those men and women voted for membership of a union and they expect that union to be recognised in negotiating terms and conditions."

Communication Workers Union area representative Kevin Duffy said he had left numerous messages for area delivery manager Paul Clare requesting a meeting but had had no response.

Mr Duffy said he last met Mr Clare on March 8 when he requested a written agreement covering issues of concern to postal workers to resolve the problem.

He said: "I get the feeling he's trying to avoid me."

CWU members are angry at a Royal Mail decision to close their canteen at night and introduce a new type of sorting system without consulting staff.

Royal Mail spokesman Paula Ellwood, said: "We have not been advised of industrial action by the union. If this is the case, we shall continue to work to try and avert action.

"We are working with our staff at Royal Mail House to resolve these issues."

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